Evaluation of the human becoming theory in practice in an acute care psychiatric setting

Using a descriptive evaluation research method, this study evaluated Parse's theory of human becoming in practice in the psychiatric setting. A pre- mid- post-implementation design served to generate qualitative data from nurses, patients, unit nurse managers, hospital nurse supervisors, and nurse documentation that illuminated changes in the quality of nursing care on three diverse pilot units. Major themes of change supported by all data sources were shifting views of human beings, altered ways of listening, altered foci of nurse-person discussions, and personal transformations. Identified themes surfaced strikingly different qualities of change for each pilot unit. Recommendations related to the successful implementation of Parse theory-based practice are presented.