Margaret Newman: Health as Expanding Consciousness (Notes on Nursing Theories)

As nursing expands its scientific base and moves into more qualitative approaches, it is important that nursing students have the opportunity to know more about the nurse theorists that offer qualitative theories and methods. One such theorist is Margaret Newman. In Margaret Newman, Joanne Marchione offers an exceptional discussion on this preeminent nursing theorist. Marchione skillfully describes the origin of Newman′s theory, the assumptions underlying the theory, the major concepts of meta-paradigm of nursing--including the nursing process--and propositions of the conceptual model itself. Also included are examples for application to practice and research (based on the author′s years of continuous experimentation and application of Newman′s theory), a bibliography of classic works, critiques and research, and a glossary of important terms. Foreword / Jean Watson -- Biographical Sketch Of The Nurse Theorist -- 1. Origin Of The Theory -- 2. Assumptions Of The Theory. Explicit Assumptions. Implicit Assumptions -- 3. Concepts Of The Theory. Consciousness. Time-space. Movement. Pattern Recognition. Pattern. Expanding Consciousness -- 4. Newman's Theory And Nursing's Paradigm. Concepts. Person. Environment. Health. Nursing -- 5. Propositions -- 6. Overview Of Newman's Theory -- 7. Evolving The Pattern Of The Whole. A Case Study: Client K -- 8. Framework For Assessing The Pattern Of The Whole. A Case Study: Client X -- 9. Newman's Theory And Family Health -- 10. Research And Newman's Theory -- 11. Conclusion. Joanne Marchione. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 44-50). Margaret Newman is one of the pre-eminent nursing theorists whose qualitative theories and methods have expanded the scientific base for the field. Her theory defines health as the unfolding or expanding of consciousness and nursing as an integrative force that focuses on the wholeness of the person. This volume offers a clear guide to applying theory to practice with individual, family and community health. Marchione's work reflects several years of experimentation and application of Newman's theory.