Introduction:

Nursing theories serve a very important purpose in guiding the nurses regarding practice skill, designing care and improving practice. This essay will focus on and explore the theory or model of health promotion by Nola J. Pender and compare the theory to the theory of human caring to arrive at a verdict regarding the how the theories align with the concept of care in the nursing.

Thesis statement: Applying Pender’s Health Promotion Model into practice aligns with the concept of caring in nursing.

Description of the theory:

            This theory of health promotion is by Nola J. Pender, nursing theorist, author and academic practicing in the University of Michigan. The model of health promotion had been developed as a corresponding equivalent to the different models in health protection. This particular model defines the context of health in an optimistic dynamic state rather than it just referring to the absence of disease. According to this particular model, health promotion is concerned with enhancing the level of wellbeing of the patients. This theory also emphasizes on the multidimensional nature of the people and how it impacts the environment as well to pursue health of the people (Sitzman, 2017, pp. 135-146).

The focus of the health promotional model is on three particular areas, behaviour-specific cognitions and affect, individual traits and experiences, and behavioural outcomes. As mentioned by Sitzman (2017, pp. 135-146), each person is born with unique personal characteristics and experiences and these unique characteristics and traits affect the subsequent actions. As a result the behavioural variables can be modified through nursing actions. Along with that, it has to be mentioned that health promotional behaviour is considered to be a desired behavioural outcome and with nursing actions the patients can be facilitated to attain the desired behavioural outcome.

Comparison with theory of human caring:

Whereas the theory of health promotion helps the nurses design action and programs which can affect the behavioural outcome of the patients to the desired health promotional behaviour. The theory of human caring by Jean Watson addresses the concept of care in the nursing profession. On a more elaborative note, the core concept of the theory of caring is associated with the idea that “humans cannot be treated as objects and that humans cannot be separated from self, other, nature, and the larger workforce” (Sitzman & Watson, 2013, pp. 69-80). Hence, elaborating further, the theory of human caring incorporates all the different aspects of nursing, emphasizing on the interpersonal procedure amongst the care provider and care recipient.

Relating with the theory of health promotion, the nursing action can influence the behavioural actions of the individuals seeking to regulate their behaviour. However, there is need for nurses to incorporate utmost care and compassion to the same to address the individualistic care needs as well. Concerning my practice area, as a family nurse practitioner, the target patient group is diverse, belonging to various age groups, culture and other demographic backgrounds. Hence, each patient groups represent a diverse care need which is needed to be addressed with care that is interlaced with empathy and compassion (Sitzman & Watson, 2013, pp. 69-80). Whereas, the health promotional model directs the nurses to take actions that will influence the behaviour of the patients to the desired outcome of awareness to health promotion, the theory of human caring guides the nurses to incorporate compassion and prioritizing the individualized needs of the patients while designing the activities.

Conclusion:

On a concluding note, both the theory of health promotion and human caring guide the nurses to inform and improve practice. This essay highlighted the core concepts of both of the theories and how it can be integrated into practice for nurses. As a family nurse practitioner myself, both of the theories have helped me to understand how to design activities to change health promotional behaviours of the patients in a compassionate and considerate manner with the lifestyle choices and preferences of the patients.

References:

Sitzman, K. (2017). Understanding the work of nurse theorists: A creative beginning, pp. 135-146.

Sitzman, K., & Watson, J. (2013). Caring Science, Mindful Practice: Implementing Watson’s Human Caring Theory. Springer Publishing Company, pp. 69-80.