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CHAP TER
Betty Neuman
1924 to present
Systems Model
Theresa G. Lawson
“I believe that theory is vital to the development of an autonomous and accountable
nursing profession…I believe that the model is relevant for the future because of its
dynamic and systemic nature; its concepts and propositions are timeless”
(Neuman, 2011, p. 318).
degree in mental health, public health consultation
Credentials and Background (1966), from the University of California, Los Angeles
of the Theorist (UCLA). Neuman completed a doctoral degree in clini-
Betty Neuman was born in 1924 and grew up on a farm cal psychology at Pacific Western University in 1985
in Ohio. Her rural background helped her develop a (B. Neuman, personal communication, June 3, 1984).
compassion for people in need, which has been evident Neuman was a pioneer of nursing involvement in
throughout her career. She completed her initial nursing mental health. She and Donna Aquilina were the first
education with double honors at Peoples Hospital School two nurses to develop the nurse counselor role within
of Nursing (now General Hospital), Akron, Ohio, in community crisis centers in Los Angeles (B. Neuman,
1947. As a young nurse, Neuman moved to California personal communication, June 21, 1992). She devel-
and worked in a variety of roles that included hospital oped, taught, and refined a community mental health
nurse, school nurse, industrial nurse, and clinical program for post–master’s level nurses at UCLA. She
instructor at the University of Southern California Med- developed and published her first explicit teaching and
ical Center. She earned a baccalaureate degree in public practice model for mental health consultation in the
health and psychology with honors (1957) and a master’s late 1960s, before the creation of her systems model
Previous authors: Barbara T. Freese, Sarah J. Beckman, Sanna Boxley-Harges, Cheryl Bruick-Sorge, Susan Matthews Harris, Mary
E. Hermiz, Mary Meininger, and Sandra E. Steinkeler.
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