Margaret A, Newman: Health As Expanding Conciousness

1933-Present

ABOUT THE THEORIST

Margaret A. Newman was born on October 10, 1933. She earned her Bachelor's degree in 1962 from the University of Tennessee and her Master's degree in 1964 from the University of California. While working toward her graduate degree, Newman served as a joint director of nursing of a clinical research center, as well as an assistant professor of nursing at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. She received a doctorate from New York University in 1971. Newman then taught at New York University until 1977. In the fall of 1977, she accepted the position of professor-in-charge of graduate study in nursing at Penn State University. In 1984, Newman began working as a nurse theorist at the University of Minnesota, and she retired from teaching in 1996.

SUMMARY OF THE THEORY

The theory of health as expanding consciousness was made by Newman to the concern for those whom health as the absence of disease is not possible. Nurses often relate to people facing the uncertainty, loss and eventual death associated with illness. The theory has progressed to include the health of all persons regardless of the presence or absence of disease. The theory states that every person in every situation, no matter how disordered and hopeless it may seem, is part of the universal process of expanding consciousness. It is a process of becoming more of oneself, of finding greater meaning in life, and of reaching new dimensions of connectedness with other people and the world itself. 

CONCEPTS

Person - Newman Explains this concept that Persons as individuals, and human beings as a species are identified by their own patterns of consciousness which means that each of as is associated with our own unique patterns of consciousness.

Environment - is described by Newman as a “universe of open systems” which means that each of us can interact to the environment with our own patterns of consciousness.

Health - Newman described that Health and illness are synthesized as one. Which means that the fusion on one state of being (disease) with its opposite (non-disease) results in what can be regarded as health”.

Nursing - Nursing is “caring in the human health experience”. Which means that Nursing is seen as a partnership between the nurse and client, with both grow in the sense of higher levels of consciousness as stated by Newman.

APPRECIATION

Health as Expanding Consciousness by Margaret Newman is indeed a great factor in achieving my goal as a nurse. I appreciate Margaret Newman for her great effort in showing us her modesty in the nursing profession. I will surely apply all the things which i have learned about this theory. This theory is not only giving me strength to do my duty as a student nurse but also gives me the courage to fulfill my dreams in life. 

Being a nurse is not an easy job, You will have to take the risk for your patient's wellness and you have to face the consequences which your patient is facing too. That is why Newman stated in his theory about Health as Expanding Consciousness that the nurse must show a connection to his client through pattern recognition in which the nurse will get in touch to the lives of his clients. By doing this, the nurse will be able to expand his consciousness to his client by knowing how the client act in his or her environment. This statement by Newman will surely help me in my future career as a nurse because it gives me a deep meaning on how to be intact with my patient at all times and how I will show my client a quality nursing care through my own consciousness.

To be a nurse like Newman, one must take the courage to show compassionate caring to his client despite the circumstances that may come in your way. Always remember that God will always be with us at all times.