Foundation of Humanistic Nursing Theory
Logic of Phenomenological Methodology
P & Z HUMANISTIC NURSING THEORY
Methodology-A Process of Being
Methodology- A Process of Being
Methodology encompassed the latter part of Paterson & Zderad's book and covered how their theory is applied. Methodology covered the following chapters:
5. Toward a Responsible Free Research Nurse in the Health Arena
The fifth chapter covered some brooding and mulling by Dr. Paterson on how research is an inherent part of humanistic nursing. Much of Paterson and Zderad's experience had been as a student or teacher of students.
Most of the nursing world is complex. It is richly saturated, and can be an overload to the senses. Nurses need always be aware of the multiplexity of concerns. It then becomes necessary to know the "hows" depending on the "ifs" to problem solve and deal with a constantly fluid realm. Each nurse will bring personal or unique solution to a concern even if all are given the same set of circumstances. For the best possible outcomes in clinical situations the nurse needs to be aware of "authenticity" with self.
Then she (the nurse) must examine, recognize, appreciate, and unfold her history, her angular view, and her human nurse potential. In prizing her view, as nurse, she will ask relevant nursing questions. (P & Z, p. 63)
6. The Logic of a Phenomenological Methodology
The sixth chapter covered the logical method of studying nursing and nursing practice. Dr. Paterson related that she came to the realization that the best way to do this is through conceptualizing constructs related to nursing, which in turn led her through phenomenology to existentialism. Thus, the best fit or method for humanistic nursing study was to apply phenomenological methods in how the world is experienced and to the personal reality of the nurse.
Humans are the only beings conscious of themselves. Nurses are human beings. As such we are capable of looking at our existence, choosing our values, giving our world meaning and of constantly transcending ourselves, or becoming more. (P & Z, p. 69)
7. A Phenomenological Approach to Humanistic Nursing Theory
Dr. Zderad wrote the seventh chapter and this chapter acknowledged that the theory of humanistic nursing was developed through a dialogical process. That is, each nurse's experience is unique, the nurse brings to it his or her own view and reality and when a number of these experiences are shared, compared and contrasted a number of concepts can be synthesized. This chapter discussed the method by which this is done. Generally phenomenological in nature and descriptive, this methodological process is subjective-objective and intuitive-analytic.
In humanistic nursing, phenomenological and existential currents interrelate....More specifically, the method entails an intuitive grasp of the phenomenon, analytic examination of its occurrences, synthesis, and description. In actuality, as the method is carried out, one does not necessarily recognize or focus on these processes as distinct phases or steps. In the flow of the experience, at times, some seem to occur simultaneously or in oscillation. (P & Z, p.79)
8. Humanistic Nursing and Art
Zderad wrote this chapter to increase the awareness of nursing as an art. There has been a plethora of writings on the science in nursing and less of the humanities in nursing. She wrote that one of the first things she remembered in nursing was a definition that nursing was both an art and a science. This chapter incorporated how art and science mesh and intertwine respectively into a seamless relatedness thru liberalization, expression and therapeutics, and how this is applied.
While Dr. Josephine Paterson was developing a methodology of inquiry from a clinical nursing process and describing her construct of the 'all-at-once', she was so intent on communicating the interrelated reality of the art and science elements in nursing that she welded them together with a hyphen into one word, 'art-science'. And even then there is some dissatisfaction when the weld is interpreted merely as a seam. For the combination is more than additive; it is a new synthetic whole. (P & Z, p. 93)
9. A Heuristic Culmination
Josephine Paterson wrote (p. 95) "this chapter presents an application of the humanistic nursing practice theory over time and an outcome." She discussed it as her how, what, why, of nursing. Dr. Paterson related this chapter is the outcome of years of concept development from the constructs of "comfort, clinical and all-at-once" and how she came to develop the constructs from her experiences. Since humanistic nursing theory is phenomenological and dialogical in nature then the theory is not yet finished or may never be until others contribute their world views and experiences to further define and refine humanistic nursing theory.
Humanistic nursing practice theory in asking for phenomenological descriptions of the nurse's lived-world of experiencing proposes authentic awareness with the self of what is existent in the situation prior to conceptualization for dispersal. Unless nurses appreciate and give recognition to the dynamic meaningful breadth, depth, and future influence of their worlds the actualization of the potential thrust of the nursing professional will never be or become. (P & Z, p. 111)
