Family Nursing

Paper Summary:

This paper relates that family health nursing is defined as a discipline that treats the family as a client thereby not limiting the definition of a patient to the patient's body alone. The author points out that, in the last forty years, the American family has experienced many changes in the concept of the nuclear family such as increases in the numbers of single parents, women working outside the home, people marrying later and elderly cared for within the home. The paper stresses that family nursing is not merely treating the sickness but also treating the family environment so it can minimize sickness and maximize health promotion.

Table of Contents:
Why is the Family an Important Focus for Nurses?
How has the Family Changed?
What Constitutes a Family Today?
What is the Definition of Family Health Nursing?

From the Paper:

"When providing treatment, a family nurse must understand why, for example, a single mother may find it difficult to alter her diabetic child's unsupervised snacking habits because of the child's resistance, or because the mother must work long hours to support the family. Both members of the family, and the familial pattern of daily life, fall under the auspices of family nursing care. At the end of a patient's life, a family nurse can help the family restructure their family routine to accommodate the needs of an ailing parent."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Heyman, Patrick & Sandra Wolfe. (2000). "Neumans System's Model." University of Florida Lecture. April 2000. Retrieved 19 Jan 2007 at http://www.patheyman.com/essays/neuman/concepts.htm
• Medina, Justine. (2005). "A natural synergy in creating a patient-focused careEnvironment: the Critical Care Family Assistance Program and Critical Care Nursing." CHEST. Retrieved 19 Jan 2007 at http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0984/is_3_128/ai_n15674888
• Rogers. Carolyn C. (2001)."A look at America's children and their families - child Population statistics - Statistical Data Included." Food Review. May-August 2001. Retrieved 19 Jan 2007 at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3765/is_2_24/ai_80517259
• Sherifali, Diana & Janet Pinelli. (2007). "Parent as Proxy Reporting." Journal of Family Nursing. Vol. 13, No. 1, 83-98.
• Amy L. Silva-Smith. (2007). "Restructuring Life: Preparing for and Beginning a New Care giving Role." Journal of Family Nursing. Vol. 13, No. 1, 99-116

More papers on Family Nursing:

• Essay # 5784 : "Family Nursing and Marilyn M. Friedman"
• Essay # 31331 : "Family Nursing Theory"
• Case Study # 86298 : "Family Nursing Case Assessment"

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