Betty Neuman:

The Neuman Systems

Model

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

 Betty Neuman

• Received RN Diploma from Peoples Hospital

School of Nursing, Akron, Ohio in 1947
• Received BS in nursing from UCLA in 1957
• Received Masters degree in Mental Health,
Public Health Consultation from UCLA in 1966
• Her model was first published as a 'Model for
teaching total person approach to patient
problems' in Nursing Research in 1972

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

 Nursing Theory
• Betty Neuman’s theory defines a total-person model for
nursing, incorporating a holistic concept and an open-
systems approach.
• Betty Neuman developed a multifaceted theory
including: Client/person, Health, Environment, Nursing.
• Since the 1960s, Betty Neuman has been recognized as a
pioneer in the field of nursing, particularly in the area of
community mental health.

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing
FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing
 She developed her model while lecturing in community
mental health at UCLA and first published it in 1972 under
the title, “A Model for Teaching the Total Person Approach
to Patient Problems” (Murray, 1999; Neuman & Fawcett,
2002).
• Neuman’s model - uses a systems approach that is
focused on the human needs of protection or relief from
stress.
• The model is universal, abstract, and applicable for
individuals from many cultures (Neuman, 1995;
Neuman & Fawcett, 2009).

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

• Believed that the causes of stress can be identified and
remedied through nursing interventions.
• Emphasized the need of humans for dynamic balance
that the nurse can provide through identification of
problems, mutually agreeing on goals, and using the
concept of prevention as intervention.

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

 CLIENT/PERSON Aspect of Theory

• Neuman believes that nursing is concerned

with the whole person including these
dimensions:
• Physical/Physiological
• Psychological
• Socio-cultural
• Developmental
• Spiritual
FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing
 HEALTH Aspect of Theory

• Health/wellness is "the condition in which all parts

and subparts (variables) are in harmony with the
whole of the client”.
• “Neuman proposes a wellness-illness continuum,
with the person's position on that continuum
being influenced by their interaction with the
variables and the stressors they encounter”.
• http://www.patheyman.com/essays/neuman/index.htm

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

 Environmental Aspect of Theory

• The environment is a force which

surrounds a person and with which they
interact at any given time that affects
their wellbeing.
• Neuman also identified a created
environment which is an environment
that is created and developed
unconsciously by the client and is
symbolic of system wholeness.

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

 Nursing Aspect of Theory Involves

• “The role of the nurse is seen in terms of degrees of reaction to

stressors, and the use of primary, secondary and tertiary
interventions.
• Primary focuses on strengthening a line of defense through
the identification of actual or potential risk factors associated
with stressors
• Secondary prevention strengthens internal defensives and
resources by establishing priorities and treatment plans for
identified symptoms
• Tertiary focuses on re-adaptation and strengthens resistance
to stressors through client education and prevention of a
recurrence of the stress response”

• Potter and Perry. Fundamentals of Nursing

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

Neuman envisions a 3-stage nursing process:

• Nursing Diagnosis - based on necessity of a thorough

assessment and with consideration given to five variables in
three stressor areas.
• Nursing Goals - these must be discussed with the patient and
take account of patient's and nurse's perceptions of variance
from wellness
• Nursing Outcomes - considered in relation to the five
variables and achieved through primary, secondary and
tertiary interventions.

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

 Neuman System

• “The Neuman Systems Model is used at all

levels of nursing education from diploma
through doctorate. The model is used in
many clinical areas in institutional and
community nursing practice at national
and international sites.”

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

• Neuman’s model can be used today as a
framework for nursing practice when applied to:
• the client
• her health
• the environment

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

 The Client
• Consists of the individual, the family,
friends, as well as the community.
• The theory states, nurses should not only
view the individual holistically, but should
also take the family, friends, and the
community into consideration.

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

 Health

• Neuman views health as a state of equilibrium

between a client’s internal and external
environment.
• “Health, according to Neuman, is equated
with optimum system stability, that is, the
best possible wellness state at any given
time.”
• Nurses apply this theory by individualizing the
optimum state of wellness for each client.

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

 Environment
• “Neuman’s concept of environment is that of
an internal and external environment with
varying degrees of harmony and balance
between the two.”
• By recognizing the two environments, the
nurse educates and implements treatments
that are individualized for each patient not only
for her psychological, spiritual, and
physiological nature, but also for her family and
social relationships.

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

 Neuman Model
• Is compatible with today’s health care
philosophy by seeing the client in a holistic
manner.
• Nurses provide this care through their
Assessment, Diagnosis, Treatment and
Education, and Evaluation.

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

 Does the Betty Neuman Nursing Theory describe what
nursing is, or what it ought to be?

• The Neuman Systems Model describes nursing

as it is today. This model seems to serve as a
blueprint for holistic nursing. By using this
holistic point of view, a single approach is used
to assess the needs and concerns of the patient.
In doing so the main goal is to keep the clients
condition stable due to environmental stressors.

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

• This model allows us to properly assess and treat patients
holistically using 5 client variables.
Physiological
Psychological
Developmental
Sociocultural
Spiritual.

• Since nurses are the primary caregivers this theory

provides a blueprint and describes nursing for what it is
today. This system is very versatile and is used by all
levels of nurses, from associate to doctorate nurses.

FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing

 Reference:

1. Alligood, M.R., (2018).Nursing Theorists & Their Work (9th Ed.). St.
Louis: Mosby-Elsevier.
2. George, J.B., (2014). Nursing Theories: The Base for Professional
Nursing Practice (6th Ed.).London, England. Pearson Educational
Ltd.
3. McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2014). Theoretical basis for nursing.
Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
5. Morse, J.M. (2017). Analyzing and Conceptualizing the Theoretical
Foundations of Nursing. New York. Springer Publishing Company
7. Smith, M.J., & Liehr, P.R. (Eds). (2018). Middle Range Theory for
Nursing (4th Ed.). New York. Springer Publishing Company

FREDELYN G. BICLAR THEORETICAL FOUNDATION IN NUSING 1ST SEM 2020-2021

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FREDELYN G. BICLAR RN, MN Theoretical Foundation in Nursing