“the human being in the complexity of health and illness was challenging and demanding”

“Best of my intellect as well as the utmost of my humanness” (1986, 1994)

Caregiver for her mother who had ALS◦ Call to nursing

University of Tennessee School of Nursing

1964 - University of California, San Francisco◦ Graduate study in Medical-Surgical ◦ Received Masters

1964-1967 – University of Tennessee◦ Director of Nursing – clinical research center◦ Assistant Professor

1971- New York University ◦ Graduate study for Ph.D.◦ Taught (1971-1977)

Developed ideas as a student and colleague of Martha Rogers

1977 – Penn State◦ Professor-in-charge of graduate study

1978 – Nursing theory conference, New York◦ 1st time she gathered her ideas on theory of

health

1984 – University of Minnesota◦ Nurse Theorist◦ Continuing the development of the theory and

related research with graduate students 1996

◦ Retires from teaching

A Margaret Newman Theory

“The human is unitary, that is cannot be divided into parts and is inseparable from the larger

unitary field” Humans are open energy systems in

continual contact with the environment. Humans are continuously active in evolving

their own patterns of “whole” and are intuitive.

“the person does not possess consciousness- the person is consciousness”

Newman published the HEC theory in 1979 HEC theory:

◦ assumes that life is a process of expanding consciousness. Consciousness: Cognitive and affective awareness

and interconnectedness with the environment. Health: Outcome of interaction with the environment

◦ Centers on life patterns Health is a pattern

Nurses help clients get in touch with the meaning of life by identifying their health patterns.

Patterns that people see, hear and feel show and describe relationships:

Relationships within the person, with other people and with the environment.

Patterns depict relationship and connectedness. Pattern recognition is a form of caring.

Nursing: “caring of the human health experience”

• Caring, a form of knowing, is transformed into more inclusive caring at a higher level of consciousness.

• Researchers and nurses employing HEC see their practices as a way of forming caring relationships with clients.

“…the goal of nursing is not to

make people well or to

prevent their getting sick, but to assist people

to utilize the power that is within them as

they evolve toward higher

levels of consciousness…

” –

M.Newman

Newman’s Challenge to nurses:◦ Examine your own process of interaction

within a relationship. This self knowledge will enhance your ability to sense the unfolding pattern in patient’s, families, and communities.

Caring in the HEC perspective is nonjudgmental, noninterventionist, and involves being with rather than just doing for.

By spending time with the patient, nurses are able to take the initiative to promote health, not just treat the problems caused by disease.

HEC and the Nursing Role

 Margaret Newman :

• Discover new rules/patterns for higher consciousness

• Intervention is pattern recognition

• Equal partnership between client and nurse