Most existing nursing theories or models were originally conceptualized using the individual as a focus. Alternate labels for this approach are family centered or family focused. This approach is rooted in the specialty of maternal-child nursing and underlies the philosophy of many maternity and pediatric health care settings. ” Family as Client The second approach to family nursing care centers on the assessment of all family members; the family as client is the focus of care. In this approach, all members of the family are in the foreground, and individuals are not mutually exclusive of the whole.

In addition, ANA’s Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice mandates that nurses provide family care (ANA, 2003b). The overall goal of this book is to enhance nurses’ knowledge and skills in the theory, practice, research, and social policy surrounding nursing care of families. This chapter provides a broad overview of family health care nursing. It begins with an exploration of the definition of family, family health care nursing, and the concept of healthy families. This chapter goes on to describe four approaches to working with families: family as context, family as client, family as system, and family as a component of society.

The teacher-educator function is ongoing in all settings in both formal and informal ways. Examples include teaching new parents how to care for their infant and giving instructions about diabetes to a newly diagnosed adolescent boy and his family members. COORDINATOR, COLLABORATOR, AND LIAISON. The family nurse coordinates the care that families receive, collaborating with the family to plan care. For example, if a family member has been in a traumatic accident, the nurse would be a key person in helping families to access resources—from inpatient care, outpatient care, home health care, and social services to rehabilitation.