The hospice nurse sat with Ann’s husband ben Ann was resting quietly as the increased dosage of IV pain medication gradually reached its therapeutic level
The hospice nurse sat with Ann’s husband ben Ann was resting quietly as the increased dosage of IV pain medication gradually reached its therapeutic level
The hospice nurse sat with Ann’s husband, Ben. Ann was resting quietly as the increased
dosage of IV pain medication gradually reached its therapeutic level. Ben turned his headand
slowly turned, looking out the room’s only window. As he glanced up, a small flicker of light
caught his breath. It was a shooting star. A tear fell from the corner of his eye and he turned
to Ann. The nurse sensed that something significant to Ann and Ben was unfolding. Shuffling
to Ann’s bedside, he took her small fragile hand in his. These hands had rocked cradles,
burped babies, and groomed the horses she loved to ride. Gently holding her hand, he turned
to the nurse. “She would ride like the wind was chasing her.” Looking back to Ann his voice
broke; choking back tears “Ann, Ann I saw Jessie…Jessie is calling.” Ben turned “Jessie was our
daughter. She died having a baby that was too big. When she died it was a pitch-black night.
Cold, so cold, the baby died too, a little boy, named him Abe, Jr. after Jessie’s husband. I
took Ann outside so she could cry to God above and there in this dark sky we saw two falling
stars…together…just falling. We knew it had to be Jessie and Abe…two angels to light up the
night.” Ben turned back as a deep sigh escaped from Ann’s lips. A soft smile remained as she
joined Jessie and Abe.
• Based on this case study how would the nurse actualize Parse’s theory of Human
Becoming?
• What are characteristics of a human becoming nurse? What are strengths and
weaknesses to this theory of nursing?
• What challenges exist for healthcare institutions to switch to this nursing approach?
• How might Parse’s understanding of transcendence guide the nurse, as Ann’s death
became a reality to Ben?
• From the nursing theories we have discussed, what additional theory would you apply
to this case study? Develop a plan of care to include both nursing theories (be specific
and provide reasons)
