Neumans Health Care Systems Model - Dissertation Example

The field of nursing usually utilizes four paradigms or concepts in its practice, namely, the person or client, environment, health, and nursing itself. These concepts are defined in Neuman’s model, according to how it is applied in organizing the structure of the profession. As presented by Neuman and Fawcett, the client may be a person, family, group, or community, and there is the need for a clear definition of who is included in the client system and how they relate to other members (as cited in Sitzman & Eichelberger, 2010, p. 79). The client or client system is then viewed in five variables, which are the physiologic, psychologic, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual aspects.

The environment is described as all internal and external factors that surround the client, while health is connected to both wellness and illness. Wellness is the client’s system to remain stable at any given time, and illness is the failure to achieve homeostasis in the presence of stressors. Nursing, on the other hand, is concerned with assessing the client in response to stressors and assisting him to cope with them according to the three levels of prevention in order to achieve the optimum degree of wellness.

HCSM in Nursing Practice
In Neuman’s Systems Model, nursing actions are based on three levels of prevention: primary, secondary, and tertiary (Heath, 1995, p. 8). As primary prevention focuses on illness prevention, the nurse’s role is to assist and encourage clients to engage in health promotion activities like exercise, sleep, and a balanced diet. Secondary prevention is carried out when illness strikes, where interventions are aimed at treating symptoms and reducing reactions (Basavanthappa, 2002, p. 27).

After secondary prevention has been given, tertiary prevention is applied, where the emphasis is on rehabilitation and prevention of recurrence. These three levels are utilized especially in the community, as nurses frequently conduct health teaching and immunizations, screenings, and health education among those who are chronically ill. The Systems Model is also applied in clinical nursing practice, where nurses use it as a framework to render care, perceiving the person holistically and assisting in both short and long-term care to achieve stability.

Conclusion
Betty Neuman contributed to the uniqueness of the nursing profession by viewing the client in all aspects in order to maintain balance in his system and achieve the highest level of wellness he is capable of. With her definitions of nursing concepts according to the model, we gather on how to apply them in nursing education, research, administration, and clinical practice. Thus, Neuman’s Systems Model can be applied universally because it is comprehensive and systematic.