Health Promotion Model vs. Human Caring in Nursing Theories

This essay delves into the realm of nursing theories, focusing on Nola J. Pender's Health Promotion Model and its comparison with Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring. The essay begins by introducing the Health Promotion Model, which emphasizes a dynamic state of well-being and the enhancement of patient wellness through behavioral outcomes influenced by individual traits and experiences. It then contrasts this with Watson's Theory of Human Caring, which prioritizes the interpersonal relationship between the caregiver and the patient, stressing compassion and individualized care. The comparison highlights how both theories guide nursing practice, with the Health Promotion Model directing nurses to influence patient behavior towards desired health outcomes, and the Human Caring Theory guiding nurses to integrate compassion and prioritize individual patient needs. The essay concludes by reflecting on the practical application of both theories, particularly for a family nurse practitioner, emphasizing the importance of tailoring care to diverse patient populations while promoting health and well-being.

Running head: NURSING THEORIES
Nursing theories
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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NURSING THEORIES
Introduction:
Nursing theories serve a very important purpose in guiding the nurses regarding practice
skill, designing care and improving practice. This essay will focus on and explore the theory or
model of health promotion by Nola J. Pender and compare the theory to the theory of human
caring to arrive at a verdict regarding the how the theories align with the concept of care in the
nursing.
Thesis statement: Applying Pender’s Health Promotion Model into practice aligns with the
concept of caring in nursing.
Description of the theory:
This theory of health promotion is by Nola J. Pender, nursing theorist, author and
academic practicing in the University of Michigan. The model of health promotion had been
developed as a corresponding equivalent to the different models in health protection. This
particular model defines the context of health in an optimistic dynamic state rather than it just
referring to the absence of disease. According to this particular model, health promotion is
concerned with enhancing the level of wellbeing of the patients. This theory also emphasizes on
the multidimensional nature of the people and how it impacts the environment as well to pursue
health of the people (Sitzman, 2017, pp. 135-146).
The focus of the health promotional model is on three particular areas, behaviour-specific
cognitions and affect, individual traits and experiences, and behavioural outcomes. As mentioned
by Sitzman (2017, pp. 135-146), each person is born with unique personal characteristics and
experiences and these unique characteristics and traits affect the subsequent actions. As a result
the behavioural variables can be modified through nursing actions. Along with that, it has to be

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mentioned that health promotional behaviour is considered to be a desired behavioural outcome
and with nursing actions the patients can be facilitated to attain the desired behavioural outcome.
Comparison with theory of human caring:
Whereas the theory of health promotion helps the nurses design action and programs
which can affect the behavioural outcome of the patients to the desired health promotional
behaviour. The theory of human caring by Jean Watson addresses the concept of care in the
nursing profession. On a more elaborative note, the core concept of the theory of caring is
associated with the idea that “humans cannot be treated as objects and that humans cannot be
separated from self, other, nature, and the larger workforce” (Sitzman & Watson, 2013, pp. 69-
80). Hence, elaborating further, the theory of human caring incorporates all the different aspects
of nursing, emphasizing on the interpersonal procedure amongst the care provider and care
recipient.
Relating with the theory of health promotion, the nursing action can influence the
behavioural actions of the individuals seeking to regulate their behaviour. However, there is need
for nurses to incorporate utmost care and compassion to the same to address the individualistic
care needs as well. Concerning my practice area, as a family nurse practitioner, the target patient
group is diverse, belonging to various age groups, culture and other demographic backgrounds.
Hence, each patient groups represent a diverse care need which is needed to be addressed with
care that is interlaced with empathy and compassion (Sitzman & Watson, 2013, pp. 69-80).
Whereas, the health promotional model directs the nurses to take actions that will influence the
behaviour of the patients to the desired outcome of awareness to health promotion, the theory of
human caring guides the nurses to incorporate compassion and prioritizing the individualized
needs of the patients while designing the activities.

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Conclusion:
On a concluding note, both the theory of health promotion and human caring guide the
nurses to inform and improve practice. This essay highlighted the core concepts of both of the
theories and how it can be integrated into practice for nurses. As a family nurse practitioner
myself, both of the theories have helped me to understand how to design activities to change
health promotional behaviours of the patients in a compassionate and considerate manner with
the lifestyle choices and preferences of the patients.

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References:
Sitzman, K. (2017). Understanding the work of nurse theorists: A creative beginning, pp. 135-
146.
Sitzman, K., & Watson, J. (2013). Caring Science, Mindful Practice: Implementing Watson's
Human Caring Theory. Springer Publishing Company, pp. 69-80.