Theorist Nola Pender, Essay Example

Introduction

Background of the Theorist

• Nola Pender has worked in nursing education for approximately 40 years and has taught students at different levels, from baccalaureate to Ph.D. students, also providing mentorship to postdoctoral fellows (University of Michigan School of Nursing, 2015)
• In 1975, when the model was established, healthcare was experiencing an evolution that required significant attention and focus in order to address individual needs and behaviors relative to health promotion and wellbeing (Syx, 2008)
• Pender was influenced by her studies in the scientific era and when the World Health Organization established health in a new context that embraced the entire being of physical, social, and mental wellbeing (Hendricks, 2015)
• The model was published in nursing literature in 1982 and was revised/updated in 1996 in order to accommodate changes and new findings that had evolved since the origination of the theory (Pender, 2011)

Purpose of the Theory

• Nola Pender is responsible for developing the Health Promotion Model to improve health and wellbeing for patients, using the concept of a “dynamic state” to identify health on a comprehensive basis (Nursing Planet, 2012)
• Health is a product of a person’s interaction with the environment in order to produce a healthy state (Petiprin, 2015)
• Client wellbeing is of primary importance for this theory, along with the relationship with the surrounding environment in order to improve health (Nursing Planet, 2012)
• Positive behaviors are likely to influence health in a positive manner and promote change with an individual’s life (Petiprin, 2015)

Concepts in the Theory

• Primary concepts of the theory include the person, environment, nursing, health, and illnesses (Pender, 2011)
• Persons are defined as biopsychosocial organisms that continue to evolve as a product of the surrounding environment (Pender, 2011)
• The environment supports an understanding of the physical, cultural, and social elements of human growth and development (Pender, 2011)
• Nursing involves collaborative efforts to improve wellbeing for all persons (Pender, 2011)
• Health is related to behaviors, self-care, and social interactions with others with the intent to produce successful wellbeing and quality of life (Pender, 2011)
• Illnesses are comprised of specific events that have a direct impact on health and limit wellbeing (Pender, 2011)
• Models of behavior are important in shaping the behaviors of other persons, particularly when these models are promoted and encouraged (Petiprin, 2015)
• Each situation introduces new challenges that may encourage or prohibit health-promoting behaviors (Petiprin, 2015)
• A commitment to a set of behaviors to promote health will have a significant impact on outcomes and improved health over time (Petiprin, 2015)

Definitions of Concepts

• Perceived benefits of action: reinforcements associated with specific health behaviors (Pender, 2011)
• Health promoting behavior: Taking a specific action to achieve the desired health outcome (Pender, 2011)
• Perceived self-efficacy: making a decision to participate in a specific health behavior with self-confidence (Pender, 2011)

Relationships and Structure

• Nurses must provide a structure for change through the development of relationships with patients (Hendricks, 2015)
• Relationships must continue to evolve and to be further defined in the context of human health (Hendricks, 2015)
• Interaction with the environment is supported by relationship growth and development (Hendricks, 2015)
• Persons will better respond to nurses when an interpersonal relationship has been established that will support health outcomes (Hendricks, 2015)

Assumptions

• Individuals are in a position to self-regulate their behavior (Nursing Planet, 2012)
• Individuals interact with the surrounding environment as a means of health improvement and promotion (Nursing Planet, 2012)
• Health professionals are a critical contributor to the individual life span and have a significant influence on patient health (Nursing Planet, 2012)
• The person-environment dynamic is in a constant state of change in order to promote behavioral change (Nursing Planet, 2012)

Notable Publications

Pender, N. J.  (1975).   A conceptual model for preventive health behavior. Nursing Outlook, 23(6), 385-390.

Pender, N. J., & Pender, A. R. (1986). Attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions to engage in health behaviors. Nursing Research, 35(1), 15-18.

Pender, N. J., Walker, S. N., Stromborg, M. F., & Sechrist, K. R. (1990). Predicting health promoting lifestyles in the workplace. Nursing Research, 39(6), 326-332.

Pender, N. J., Baukas, V. H., Hayman, L., Rice, V. H., & Anderson, E. T.  (1992). Health promotion and disease prevention: Toward excellence in nursing practice and education. Nursing Outlook, 40(3), 106-112, 120.

Pender, N. J. (1996). Health promotion in nursing practice (3rd ed.). Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange.

References

Hendricks, K. (2015). Analysis of Pender’s Health promotion model. Retrieved from https://otterbein.digication.com/kathryn_hendricks_rn_msn_npbc/Application_of_Theory_Research

Nursing Planet (2012). Health promotion model. Retrieved from http://nursingplanet.com/health_promotion_model.html

Pender, N. J. (2011). Heath Promotion Model Manual.

Petiprin, A. (2015). Health promotion model. Retrieved from http://www.nursing-theory.org/theories-and-models/pender-health-promotion-model.php

Syx, R.L. (2008). The practice of patient education: the theoretical perspective. Orthopaedic Nursing, 27(1), 50-54.

University of Michigan School of Nursing (2015). Nola J. Pender. Retrieved fromhttp://nursing.umich.edu/faculty-staff/nola-j-pender