A nursing conceptual model grounded in Christian faith
Date
2017-05-17
Authors
Miller, Lynda Whitney
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Abstract
Parish nursing is an emerging, innovative practice in
faith communities. Christian parish nursing, as defined by
the author, is a health promotion ministry, based in
churches, the focus of which is preventative and in which
faith and health are clearly linked and spiritual care is
central. Development of parish nursing's theoretical base
has not kept pace with the rapid expansion of its practical
and educational programs since the initial project in 1985.
The literature provides no evidence that existing nursing
conceptual models have been critically evaluated as to their
relative utility in, or compatibility with Christian parish
nursing, and no particular existing model has yet become
identified with the practice.
The purpose of this dissertation was to develop a
nursing conceptual model clearly grounded in an explicitly
biblical Christian world-view. This model is primarily a
product of the author's own process, including the personal
activities of rational inquiry, intuition, meditation on
biblical passages, contemplation, and prayer. Fourteen
Christian nurses served as prayer partners in this process.
The methodology also included review of literature (The
Bible, theology, health/wellness, nursing theory and
spiritual care), informal focus groups and interviews (with
the national leaders in parish nursing in the U.S.). Twenty
reviewers provided critiques of a draft of the model.
The four major components of the model are:
Person/Parishioner, HeaIth/Shalom-Wholeness, Nurse/Parish
Nurse, and Community/Parish. The integrating component is
The Triune God. Key concepts include stewardship, ministry, and communion.
Underlying premises of this dissertation are that: (a)
nurses' theoretical world-views affect nurses' professional
actions, and (b) nurses can mutually benefit from the
continuing processes of informing and allowing for
comparative critiques of one another's models. Although
intended primarily for parish nurses, the model may be
useful for Christian nurses in other settings. It may also
enhance understanding of how faith and health are linked in
nursing practice.
The model's grounding in Christian faith extends prior
nursing theory development work. Its integration of basic
Christian tenets and health promotion concepts thus
contributes to the theoretical base of, and has implications
for, future nursing theory development, practice, education
and research.
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Keywords
Nursing, Spirituality