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222 UNIT III Nursing Conceptual Models

MAJOR CONCEPTS & DEFINITIONS—cont’d
field, a universe of open systems, pattern,and four- human and environmental fields change continu-
dimensionality. ously, creatively, and integrally (Rogers, 1994a).
Rogers consistently updated the conceptual model
through revision of the homeodynamic principles. Universe of Open Systems
Such changes corresponded with scientific and tech- The concept of the universe of open systems holds
nological advances. In 1983, Rogers changed her that energy fields are infinite, open, and integral
wording from that of unitary man to unitary human with one another (Rogers, 1983). The human and
being, to remove the concept of gender. Additional environmental fields are in continuous process and
clarification of unitary human beings as separate are open systems.
and different from the term holistic stressed the
unique contribution of nursing to health care. In Pattern
1992, four-dimensionality evolved into pandimension- Pattern identifies energy fields. It is the distinguishing
ality. Rogers’ fundamental postulates have remained characteristic of an energy field and is perceived as a
consistent since their introduction; her subsequent single wave. The nature of the pattern changes con-
writings served to clarify her original ideas. tinuously and innovatively, and these changes give
identity to the energy field. Each human field pattern
Energy Field is unique and is integral with the environmental field
An energy field constitutes the fundamental unit of (Rogers, 1983). Manifestations emerge as a human-
both the living and the nonliving. Field is a unifying environmental mutual process. Pattern is an abstrac-
concept, and energy signifies the dynamic nature of tion; it reveals itself through manifestation. A sense
the field. Energy fields are infinite and pandimen- of self is a field manifestation, the nature of which is
sional. Two fields are identified: the human field and unique to each individual. Some variations in pat-
the environmental field. “Specifically human beings tern manifestations have been described in phrases
and environment are energy fields” (Rogers, 1986b, such as “longer versus shorter rhythms,” “pragmatic
p. 2). The unitary human being (human field) is versus imaginative,” and time experienced as “fast”
defined as an irreducible, indivisible, pandimen- or “slow.” Pattern is changing continually and may
sional energy field identified by pattern and mani- manifest disease, illness, or well-being. Pattern change
festing characteristics that are specific to the whole is continuous, innovative, and relative.
and that cannot be predicted from knowledge of
the parts. The environmental field is defined as Pandimensionality
an irreducible, pandimensional energy field identi- Rogers defines pandimensionality as a nonlinear
fied by pattern and integral with the human field. domain without spatial or temporal attributes, or as
Each environmental field is specific to its given Phillips (2010) notes: “essentially a spaceless and
human field. While not necessarily quantifiable, timeless reality” (p. 56). The term pandimensional
an energy field has the inherent ability to create provides for an infinite domain without limit. It best
change (Todaro-Franceschi, 2008). In this case, both expresses the idea of a unitary whole.

Use of Empirical Evidence apparent of these are the nonlinear dynamics of quan-
Being an abstract conceptual system, the Science tum physics and general system theory.
of Unitary Human Beings does not directly identify Evident in her model are the influence of Einstein’s
testable empirical indicators. Rather, it specifies a (1961) theory of relativity in relation to space-time
worldview and philosophy used to identify the phe- and Burr and Northrop’s (1935) electrodynamic the-
nomena of concern to the discipline of nursing. As ory relating to electrical fields. By the time von
was mentioned previously, Rogers’ model emerged Bertalanffy (1960) introduced the general system
from multiple knowledge sources; the most readily theory, theories regarding a universe of open systems