Newman's Theory Of Health As Expanded Consciousness In Nursing Practice

Health as Expanded Consciousness

In this final paper, I propose to meticulously evaluate Newman’s theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness (HEC). This process will be completed by utilizing the literature available on Newman’s theory, and the guide expressed in Parker and Smith’s (2015) chapter A guide for the study of nursing theories of practice. I will demonstrate how this theory has influenced my personal life, my life as a student, and my nursing practice, and I will also include examples from my life to further validate this. It is my conviction that using HEC enhances the nursing role from merely being a person who completes tasks in a timely manner, to one with a more self-regulating practice.

Understanding the HEC Theory

Dr. Newman

As a nurse we must recognize that we “cannot isolate, manipulate, and control variables to understand the whole of a phenomenon” (Newman, 2015, p. 283). In my role as a nurse, it is imperative that I realize that all of the patient’s experiences, and patterns will determine how they respond to an illness. For example, if a patient who has relatively no medical history, is diagnosed with bowel cancer, his response will be quite different than someone who has a past history of cancer. The latter person will be equipped with insight into what to expect through his past involvements during the course of his illness or disease. The first patient will require further information, and time to understand the diagnosis. He will have many questions, and will require more support to fully comprehend what is happening in his environment and to himself. The focus of HEC theory in nursing practice is to develop the ability to identify patterns, and to become authentically connected to the patients. The nurse through, “pattern recognition, finds meaning, and accelerates the evolution of her consciousness” (Newman, 1997, p. 23). If your intent is to follow the HEC theory in your nursing practice, you need to reflect, and become purposely present for your patient. This process will increase your ability to enhance your consciousness and awareness, and the adeptness to focus on

After learning Newman’s HEC theory I realized that I had been taught to focus on the disease and treatment during my earlier education and training. Although subconsciously I was already practicing the awareness that “simply having a disease does not make a person unhealthy” (Newman, 2015, p. 280). As previously mentioned, my son has Cerebral Palsy, Lennox Gastaut Seizure Disorder, Asthma, and is Deafblind but I would not identify him as unhealthy. Barring an acute flare up or episode of his diseases, his health is excellent. This realization has proven to me and to our family that he is obtaining quality of life through our extensive planning of his days and providing good care for him. Researching and learning about HEC theory has enlightened me as a mother, student and nurse. As a mother, I am more aware and concentrate on expanding my consciousness. I am learning to visualize the person-environment interaction with my son. As a nurse I am expanding my knowledge in this theory, and opening myself up to the process. Throughout each assessment, I prepare myself through self-reflection to ensure that I am present for my patient. My awareness and enhancement of consciousness allows me to recognize the patterns of a patient’s life. It has enriched my nursing practice and given my work and home life a sharper, more distinct focus. I am more aware of the patterns, and can now sense when my patient