Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Myra Estrin Levine's Conservation Model is a holistic nursing framework that prioritizes the maintenance of a patient's wholeness and integrity through specific nursing interventions one through three. The theory posits that individuals are complex, dynamic "systems of systems" constantly interacting with an ever-changing environment. The primary goal of nursing in this model is to promote adaptation, which is the process of preserving one's integrity amidst these environmental challenges.
Core Concepts of the Theory
Core Concepts of the Theory
The model is underpinned by three major pillars:
. Wholeness: This concept emphasizes that a person is more than their physical body; they are an integrated "symphony" of biological, psychological, and social systems. Wholeness is equated with integrity, which acts as the harmonizing force for internal and external stimuli.
. Adaptation: This is the "dynamic ballet" an individual performs to maintain integrity. It is shaped by past experiences and unique genetic blueprints. Levine identifies four "organismic responses" to environmental flux: fight-or-flight, inflammation, stress adaptation, and perceptual awareness.
. Conservation: Derived from the Latin conservatio, this refers to the capacity of complex systems to maintain functional integrity despite external challenges.