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CHAPTER 24 Rosemarie Rizzo Parse 479

(see Humanbecoming/80–20: An Innovative Profes- and on the other hand that. Finally nurses ask, how
sional Development Program for Nurses at: http:// do I believe people change? Do people make choices
www.nursingchannel.org/programs.html).Indeed, the that help them move in the direction of their own
humanbecoming theory changes the intentions and hopes and dreams? Humanbecoming theory explores
purposes of professionals, and there is no limit to how these questions.
this learning may contribute to meaningful practices
and approaches for all professional activities linked Importance
with research, education, and leadership. Parse calls nursing a human science, and, as such, it
represents particular beliefs that have been around for
Accessibility longer than 100 years. The humanbecoming theory
Accessibility of the theory is evaluated with evidence has taken human science beliefs into service and
addressed in the following questions: knowledge development in new and important ways.
• Does evidence (taken here to mean “does reality”) The humanbecoming research and practice method-
support the theory? ologies are generating transformations in care and a
• Do the principles and concepts of the humanbe- renewed sense of professional purpose. Consider
coming theory make sense to nurses when they are these examples:
with people in practice? 1. Nurses in two Canadian provinces spent 24 months
• Does the humanbecoming theory help nurses be evaluating humanbecoming-guided care, and these
with people in ways that are helpful and that make acute care nurses reported enhanced satisfaction
a difference from the patient’s perspective? and purpose in their work as professional nurses
• Is the theory useful for administrators and re- (Bournes & Ferguson-Paré, 2007; Mitchell, Bournes,
searchers? & Hollett 2006).
• Do research findings expand knowledge and en- 2. Teams of humanbecoming researchers, practitioners,
hance the theoretical base? artistic writers, actors, and consumers produced a
The answer to these questions is, clearly, an enthu- research-based drama called I’m Still Here about liv-
siastic “yes.” The theory is useful because it provides a ing with Alzheimer’s disease. The Murray Alzheimer
meaningful foundation that is helpful for nurses who Research and Education Program at the University
want to live certain values in practice and research of Waterloo funded the production of a DVD version
(Bournes & Ferguson-Paré, 2007; Mitchell, Jonas- of the drama, as well as an educational guide
Simpson, & Ivonoffski, 2006). informed by humanbecoming theory, research, and
A nurse who is learning the theory might ask the self-reflective practice (Mitchell, Jonas-Simpson, &
following questions: Ivonoffski, 2006). Hundreds of health professionals
• What does humanbecoming theory say about people, and families in countries around the globe have pur-
and do I believe in these ideas as they are presented? chased the DVD and educational guide (available at
• Am I comfortable with the basic beliefs espoused http://www.marep.uwaterloo.ca/products/still.html).
in the humanbecoming theory? Researchers Mitchell, Dupuis, and Jonas-Simpson
The answers to the initial questions about evidence toured a live performance of I’m Still Here to com-
or congruence with reality often lead to a decision to plete a longitudinal study funded by the Social Sci-
pursue the more difficult task of studying the theory. ences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
A commitment to learn more requires some attrac- (SSHRC); this study evaluated knowledge translation
tion to the basic underlying values and assumptions through artistic performance.
about humanuniverse and health. These values recog- 3. Jonas-Simpson’s work on loss for mothers who
nize that people have their own unique views about experience the loss of their baby has been in-
life and their health situations. They speak about what formed by humanbecoming and findings pre-
things mean on a personal level; value their priorities sented in New York in an interactive exhibit of
and pursue what is important to them; want to make stories, poetry, photographs, and research-inspired
their own choices; and speak about paradoxical paintings by artist Ann Bayly for professionals and
thoughts and feelings, saying on the one hand this mothers invited to share their own stories in a