Comparing Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring And The Neuman Systems Model
Jayanna Volm
Concordia University

Comparing Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring And The Neuman Systems Model Nursing frameworks and conceptual models are imperative as a foundation for nursing practice. These frameworks provide recognition, understanding, and the ability to manage phenomena in which nursing comes into contact. These frameworks also provide the nurse with a systematic approach to interventions and goal attainment. The purpose of this paper is to compare Neuman Systems Model to Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring. According to Alligood and Tomey the Neuman Systems Model is classified as a nursing conceptual model. “Nursing conceptual models are concepts and their relationships that specify a perspective from which to view phenomena specific to the discipline of nursing. Different conceptual models provide various perspectives or frameworks for thinking critically and making nursing decisions” (Alligood & Tomey, 2010, p. 223). The nursing conceptual models are comprehensive and define the metaparadigm according to their framework. Tourville and Ingalls categorize the Neuman Systems Model as a systems model. They define a systems model of nursing as viewing “the person as a multidimensional being who reacts continually to a world of stressors” (2003, Systems Model, para. 1). Systems may be organizations, communities, businesses, or social structures. Within the large systems there are subsystems interacting and influencing the main system. The systems may be closed or open, depending on the amount of information coming in or out of the systems. Open systems allow for free exchange of information through their boundaries. Closed systems allow minimal exchange of ideas and changes are limited. (Tourville & Ingalls, 2003). The feeding of