Help! Theorist Betty Neuman used in oncology?

Published

I am hoping to receive some feedback from you. I have to right a paper for my MSN program about how Betty Neuman's theory fits into my practice. I am completely struggling. I chose her because none of the other theorists seemed to fit. I also have to pick another theory that does not fit, and I think I may pick the transcultural theory because oncology nursing is very standardized. Patients can't be taking herbal remedies and may have to leave their homes to go to major cancer centers. I have literally been researching for the past 9 hours and feel like I'm still stuck. If familiar, could someone provide me with an example of using Neuman's theory in oncology? Or is there someone else you use? I think this will be a start for me. Thanks!

Specializes in oncology, clinical trials, home health.

You can try Orem's self care deficit theory. Patients undergoing chemotherapy need to learn about side effects and how to deal with them. Not only that, the family is involved in the patient's care and needs instruction as well. For example an patient undergoing radiation to the neck area for tongue cancer and also receiving chemotherapy will eventually experience severe mucositis preventing nutrition. Patient will need a PEG tube, and learn how to administer feedings. Hope this helps.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

My guess is that your instructor doesn't really want you to simply find some articles in which someone else used Neuman's theory. She probably wants you to say how it could be applied in your practice. That doesn't require an article that combines the theory with oncology. It requires you to take the different aspects of the theory and apply them to your practice.

For example: Isn't Neuman the one who talks about primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention? I would take each one of those categories and apply it to the type of patients I care for. What primary prevention activities do (or should I) be teaching people? What possible primary prevention interventions can people take to minimize their risk of cancer? Do the same for secondary and tertiary prevention.

Another approach to incorporate would be to discuss the activities above in terms of the various "lines of defense" etc. that Neuman identified. Use her terminology for those defenses as you discuss primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions.

You just need to know her theory ... and have a knowledge of your patient population. You be the one to put the two together. I expect my undergraduate students to be able to do that. Certainly you should be able to do that at the MSN level. I expect all of my RN-BSN students to be able to do that with each theorist we study.

Hi Ms. LLG, I couldn't help but notice that you are a BSN level instructor. Give GirlofSun a break as a teacher. She was simply asking for YOUR help and good ideas. And what is it about underlining? God bless!

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Hi Ms. LLG, I couldn't help but notice that you are a BSN level instructor. Give GirlofSun a break as a teacher. She was simply asking for YOUR help and good ideas. And what is it about underlining? God bless!

What are you talking about? I thought she broke down what student needed to do quite effectively and helping the student do the actual thinking on her own. I've yet to see llg be discouraging to a student since I joined here. Are you sure we read the same reply?

@girlofthesun, I have been reading your posts unfortunately I am new and can not send you a PM. I find myself with the same experiences as you. I am a relatively new nurse with 17month of experience in an oncology clinic that does clinical research. I was mainly an infusion nurse but also managed some research activities. I am chemo certified and was recently offered two positions. One was a floor nursing position in a peds hem/onc bmt hospital. I haven't had much peds experience but they are willing to train. The other position is a oncology research nurse.

Research is very interesting to me, but I am worried that once I do research i will never be able to return to bedside nursing. I want to eventually go back to school perhaps pursue an NP degree. Which position do you think is more valuable? Which position has a higher ceiling for growth? thanks

I'm just starting out at this bsn program. You conment was helpful to me. Thank you. I'm still working on it but its less fog

+ Join the Discussion