Martha Rogers Metaparadigm: Science of Unitary Beings

Introduction: Martha Rogers Metaparadigm

Martha Rogers presents one of the best nursing theories. Rogers’ Unitary Human Beings Theory makes it easier for nurses to provide quality support to their patients. Nurses should always “support the health expectations for every patient” (Meleis, 2011, p. 36). This grand theory “is applicable in every peritoneal dialysis setting” (Meleis, 2011, p. 46). Caregivers and physicians can use Martha Rogers’ theory of Unitary Beings whenever helping their patients in a peritoneal dialysis setting. According to the theory, human beings are inseparable with their immediate environments (Jarrin, 2012). Nursing is a useful practice because it focuses on human beings. Nurses should analyze “every mutual interaction between human beings and their environments” (Watson & Smith, 2002, p. 458). Such interactions create unique field processes that determine people’s wellness or illness. This definition explains why the theory is applicable in many healthcare settings.

Martha Rogers’ Background

Martha Rogers’ background made it easier for her to develop this nursing theory. The theorist was born on May 12, 1914 in Texas. Rogers “attained her diploma in 1936 from Knoxville Hospital School of Nursing” (Alligood, 2013, p. 65). She later graduated from George Peabody College with a diploma in public health. She obtained “her doctorate degree in 1954 from Johns Hopkins University” (Meleis, 2011, p. 18). Martha Rogers died on March 13, 1914. Martha acquired new ideas from her learning processes. She also worked with different populations and patients. Martha “studied widely in order to widen her knowledge in humanities and arts” (Meleis, 2011, p. 18). She was always synthesizing new facts and ideas for her theory. This practice made it easier for Rogers to develop one of the best nursing theories.

Martha Rogers produced several articles and publications as an educationist. Rogers’ first article was “Theoretical Basis of Nursing”. She published the article in 1970. She published her second article in 1988. The name of the article was “Nursing Science and Art: A Prospective”. She described and analyzed her nursing theory in the article “Nursing: Science of Unitary and Irreducible Human Beings”. Martha Rogers’ also published a new article called “Vision of Space Based Nursing”. The above articles presented the best concepts and ideas about Martha Rogers’ theory. Many scholars such as Betty Neuman have used Rogers’ theory to develop their models for quality nursing.

The Science of Unitary Human Beings Theory addressed several problems in nursing. Caregivers viewed nursing as a practice aimed at providing the best support to different patients. Many patients were unable to achieve the best health outcomes because of ineffective nursing practices. Nurses “did not analyze how the environment affected people’s health outcomes” (Jarrin, 2012, p. 18). Nurses did not view human beings as complete systems. The theory “encouraged nurses and caregivers to redefine nursing before providing the best care to their patients” (Meleis, 2011, p. 98). She also explained how “the environment was a pan-dimensional energy field within a person’s system” (Jarrin, 2012, p. 18). Nurses have embraced this theory because it offers the best support to patients in different environments.

Martha Rogers Nursing Theory Description

Rogers used an inductive reasoning for her Unitary Human Beings Theory. Martha Rogers used various concepts, ideas, and thoughts to bring many aspects of nursing together. The theorist used her background in art and science to develop the nursing model. She also synthesized many facts and ideas in order to present the best model for nurses and physicians. She managed to develop “a complete theory that focused on every aspect of nursing and patient care” (Jarrin, 2012, p. 18). The theorist also examined the role of the environment towards a person’s health condition. She also analyzed the relationships between human beings and their surrounding environments. This explains how she developed her famous concept of integrality. The inductive approach made it easier for Martha Rogers to develop one of the best nursing models.

The theorist uses several concepts and terms for her nursing model. She also offers both operational and theoretical definitions for these concepts. Martha Rogers identifies eight unique concepts for her nursing theory. The first one is energy field. This field is an important unit in every non-living or living object. She defines “openness as the interaction between environmental fields and human fields” (Meleis, 2011, p. 68). Such fields are always exchanging their energies. The other concept is pattern. This refers to the outstanding characteristic of every energy field. This pattern occurs as a single wave. She uses “the term homodynamic principle to explain how individuals should perceive unitary human beings” (Watson & Smith, 2002, p. 454). She also identifies three major homodynamic principles. These “principles are helicy, integrality, and resonance” (Alligood, 2013, p. 59). The other useful concept is pan dimensionality. The principle “refers to the non-linear domains existing without temporal or spatial aspects” (Watson & Smith, 2002, p. 454).

The theorist defines the above concepts in an explicit manner. The author gives accurate definitions for every concept. Martha uses the above definitions to develop her nursing theory. She goes further to identify new concepts in order to improve her nursing theory. Resonance “is the arrangement characterizing both environmental and human fields” (Watson & Smith, 2002, p. 454). Such fields are also relevant towards supporting people’s health. Helicy is “the continuous and unpredictable evolution of the above fields of energy” (Alligood, 2013, p. 76). These explicit definitions make it easier for clinicians to use Martha’s theory in different nursing practices.

Martha uses the three hemodynamic principles to bring define and analyze her concepts. She uses several terms to explain how different energy fields come together. The theory also explains how such concepts are inseparable from one another. Both “environmental and human fields are constantly exchanging their energies” (98). The created pattern supports the concept of openness. Such relationships also result in non-linear domains. Such “domains explains why there are lives are not ordered in any specific manner” (Alligood, 2013, p. 84). This discussion explains why the theorist offers the best relationships for her concepts.

Martha Rogers Nursing Theory Evaluation

Martha Rogers presents several values and beliefs for her nursing theory. She offers explicit definitions and ideas to describe the strength and effectiveness of her theory. She explains how human beings are complete systems with several parts. She also identifies the role of the environment towards a person’s health condition. Martha uses explicit arguments to explain how human beings relate with their surrounding environments. She also offers the best assumptions to describe her nursing theory. She uses several homodynamic principles to explain how human beings exchange their energies with their immediate environments. This description makes it easier for readers to understand how human beings are inseparable with their environments. She also offers some implicit assumptions to explain how caregivers can re-pattern their patients’ energy fields (Watson & Smith, 2002). Such arguments and assumptions are critical for every nursing practice.

Rogers’ nursing theory gives a detailed description of the four meta-paradigms of nursing. The first “meta-paradigm of nursing is person” (Watson & Smith, 2002, p. 455). Martha identifies this meta-paradigm as unitary human beings. She “defines a unitary being as an indivisible and irreducible energy field that has unique characteristics” (Alligood, 2013, p. 59). Such characteristics are unique to the whole human being. This description explains why caregivers should consider every health issue affecting their patients. The author also uses the second meta-paradigm of nursing in her theory. She defines “the environment as a pan-dimensional and irreducible energy field that has a unique pattern” (Alligood, 2013, p. 103). Nurses and physicians can use the above fields to understand the health conditions and demands of their patients. Some unique manifestations also emerge from these patterns.

The theorist also explains how the above energy fields and interactions determine the health conditions of the targeted individuals. Martha Rogers uses “the third meta-paradigm to explain how illness and health are part of the human continuum” (Watson & Smith, 2002, p. 458). Nurse Practitioners (NPs) should define health as a person’s life process. Many events “take place along a person’s axis thus determining his or her health conditions” (Alligood, 2013, p. 59). Nurses must “identify such events in order to promote the best health outcomes” (Alligood, 2013, p. 59). According to Rogers, the fourth meta-paradigm is critical because it serves vulnerable populations and patients. According to Martha, nursing is “the creative use of art and science to improve people’s health conditions” (Meleis, 2011, p. 87). Nurses can use their intellectual and imaginative abilities to promote the best medical practices. The practice will ensure every patient gets quality medical care and support.

Martha Rogers’ Science of Unitary Beings is one of the best nursing theories. The theory presents clear concepts and ideas for better nursing practice. The theorist uses meaningful concepts and terms to develop the nursing model. The author also explains how nurses and caregivers can embrace new skills and concepts in order to re-pattern their patients’ energy fields. The theory also presents consistent arguments and assumptions to the reader. She also encourages caregivers and nurses to acquire new knowledge. The practice will encourage the use of scientific facts and ideas. Rogers also encourages our societies to embrace nursing because it will help every person. According to Jarrin (2012, p. 16), “scientific knowledge and responsibility are powerful tools towards better nursing practice”. The above discussion explains why clinicians must use Martha’s Unitary Human Beings Theory.

Martha Rogers Metaparadigm Application

The Science of Unitary Human Beings Theory is critical towards guiding every nursing action. The theory encourages nurses to appreciate the significant of their surrounding environments. The theory also explains why scholars and caregivers must read widely. The practice will equip them with new concepts and skills for better practice. Nursing “is a critical practice because it improves the relationships between human beings and their environments” (Meleis, 2011, p. 59). According to Jarrin (2012, p. 17), “logical analyses and scientific researches are also critical towards supporting the health needs of different patients”. Medical practitioners can develop the best nursing philosophies using the above theory. Such philosophies will encourage caregivers to provide quality support to their patients.

Roger’s nursing model is relevant because it presents the best competencies for effective practice. The theory makes it easier for clinicians to embrace the four meta-paradigms of nursing. The theory encourages clinicians to serve their clients using the best practices. Our society has a responsibility to promote the best health outcomes. Martha Rogers presents the best concepts for better medical practice. The theory also “explains why clinicians should be ready to restore their patients’ energy fields” (Jarrin, 2012, p. 18). This practice is necessary every patient requires the best nursing care. Human beings can also experience the best health outcomes even when they have diseases in their bodies.

I will always use this theory whenever providing quality care to my patients. I am currently working in a peritoneal dialysis setting. Patients in this setting require the best medical support and attention. Rogers’ theory equips me with the best concepts for better nursing practice. My goal is to ensure every patient achieves his or her health goals. I will read widely in order to acquire new competencies as a clinician. I am ready to improve my nursing practice using Rogers’ theory. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) should make “nursing a universal practice that can improve the health conditions of vulnerable populations” (Meleis, 2011, p. 92). I will always be ready to re-pattern the health experiences and energy fields of my patients. I will use the theory to develop my personal nursing philosophy. The theory will equip me with the best ideas for better nursing practice. My duty is “to provide the best support and care to my patients” (Meleis, 2011, p. 102). This practice will ensure my patients achieve their health goals.

Reference List

Alligood, M. (2013). Nursing Theorists and Their Work. New York, NY: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Jarrin, O. (2012). The Integrality of Situated Caring in Nursing and the Environment. Advanced Nursing Science, 35(1), 14-24.

Meleis, I. (2011). Theoretical Nursing: Development and Progress. New York, NY: Wolters Kluwer Health.

Watson, J., & Smith, M. (2002). Caring Science and the Science of Unitary Human Beings: A Trans-theoretical Discourse for Nursing Knowledge Development. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 37(5), 452-461.