Faye glenn abdellah biography
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Honors and Awards
Dr. Abdellah's list of honors and awards is overwhelming. She served as the Chief Nurse Officer and became the first nurse in any service to receive the rank of a two-star rear admiral. Her first few years there were spent performing studies and research in numerous hospitals to improve nursing practice.Faye Abdellah - Nursing Theorist
Faye Glenn Abdellah's Contribution to Nursing Theory: Twenty-One Nursing Problems
According to Abdellah’s Twenty-One Nursing Problems theory of nursing, “Nursing is
based on an art and science that moulds the attitudes, intellectual competencies,
and technical skills of the individual nurse into the desire and ability to help
people, sick or well, cope with their health needs.”
The patient-centered approach to nursing was developed from Abdellah’s practice,
and the theory is considered a human needs theory.
In other words,helping patients become more healthy.
Abdellah describes health as a state mutually exclusive of illness. Later, the family moved to Lakehurst, New Jersey, where Faye and her brother attended high school. The overt or covert nature of problems necessitates a direct or indirect approach, respectively.
The results of the collection of data in the assessment phase determine the patient’s
specific problems, which can be grouped under one or more of the broader nursing problems.
This creates the nursing diagnosis.
The statement of nursing problems most closely resembles goal statements.
It was then that she decided to become a nurse. She went on to receive a doctorate in education as well.
In 1949, Dr. Abdellah met Lucile Petry Leone, the founder of the Cadet Nurse Corps and later the first woman Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service and Chief Nurse Officer. With her education, she could have become a medical doctor, but she felt that nursing was the right profession for her because it was a caring profession.
Nursing Theory
Dr. Abdellah's typology of Twenty-one Nursing Problems helped transform nursing from a disease centered to a patient centered profession. Her parents, Namadi Ben and Margaret Abdellah, emigrated from Algeria and Scotland and met in the United States. The ten steps are:- Learn to know the patient.
- Sort out relevant and significant data.
- Make generalizations about available data in relation to similar nursing problems presented by other patients.
- Identify the therapeutic plan.
- Test generalizations with the patient and make additional generalizations.
- Validate the patient’s conclusions about his nursing problems.
- Continue to observe and evaluate the patient over a period of time to identify any attitudes and clues affecting his or her behavior.
- Explore the patient and his or her family’s reactions to the therapeutic plan and involve them in the plan.
- Identify how the nurses feel about the patient’s nursing problems.
- Discuss and develop a comprehensive nursing care plan.
The 11 nursing skills are:
- observation of health status
- skills of communication
- application of knowledge
- teaching of patients and families
- planning and organization of work
- use of resource materials
- use of personnel resources
- problem-solving
- direction of work of others
- therapeutic uses of the self
- nursing procedure
The model identifies nursing as a helping profession.
In addition, her work is being used to develop an international classification of nursing practice in a way that will provide a unifying framework for nursing. She could have worked as a nurse at this time, but she had a strong belief in the value of education and felt that nursing practice should be based on research rather than just hours of care.
The school was later renamed the Raleigh Fitkin-Paul Morgan Memorial Hospital School of Nursing.
Publications related to Faye Abdellah
Faye Glenn Abdellah, a distinguished nurse theorist, educator, and researcher, revolutionized nursing with her development of the 21 Nursing Problems Theory.
Her problem-centered approach shifted nursing from task-oriented care to patient-centered, holistic care, emphasizing the assessment of individual needs and problem-solving strategies.
Abdellah’s contributions have had a lasting impact on nursing education, practice, and research, particularly in advancing nursing as a scientific discipline.
In this article, we cover Faye Glenn Abdellah’s life, achievements, philosophy, and lasting influence on modern nursing.
Quick Summary
- Developed the 21 Nursing Problems Theory, which emphasizes problem-solving and individualized care.
- Shifted the focus of nursing from tasks to meeting patients’ physical, emotional, and social needs.
- Advocated for the use of research and evidence-based practices in nursing.
- Played a key role in transforming nursing education and integrating public health concepts.
- Recognized globally for her contributions to nursing science and patient-centered care.
Early Life and Background of Faye Abdellah
Birth and Family Background of Faye Glenn Abdellah
- Faye Glenn Abdellah was born on March 13, 1919, in New York City, into a supportive family that encouraged intellectual growth.
- Her early exposure to healthcare environments and her experiences caring for family members influenced her decision to pursue a career in nursing.
Education and Early Influences in Abdellah’s Life
- Abdellah received her nursing diploma from Fitkin Memorial Hospital in New Jersey.
- She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree, and a doctorate in education from Columbia University.
- Her interest in public health and research was sparked by her early clinical experiences and academic studies, laying the foundation for her future work.
Faye Abdellah’s Philosophy and Vision for Nursing
- Abdellah believed that nursing should be guided by scientific principles and evidence-based practices, with a focus on solving patients’ problems holistically.
- Her vision emphasized that nursing is both an art and a science, requiring critical thinking and compassion to meet individual patient needs.
- Famous quote: “Nursing is based on an art and science that molds the attitudes, intellectual competencies, and technical skills of the individual nurse into the desire and ability to help people cope with their health needs.”
Faye Abdellah’s Education and Early Nursing Career
Formal Education and Nursing Training of Faye Glenn Abdellah
- Abdellah’s comprehensive education in nursing and public health allowed her to bridge theory and practice effectively.
- Her studies in education helped her develop nursing curricula that emphasized critical thinking and evidence-based care.
Early Professional Experiences in Abdellah’s Career
- Abdellah worked as a clinical nurse and later transitioned into teaching and research roles.
- Her experiences in both clinical and academic settings provided her with a deep understanding of patient care and the need for systematic problem-solving in nursing.
Key Achievements and Contributions of Faye Abdellah
Development of the 21 Nursing Problems Theory
- Abdellah’s theory identifies 21 nursing problems that guide nurses in assessing and addressing patients’ needs.
In 1999, she was inducted into Columbia University's Hall of Fame, in 2000, she was named to the National Women's' Hall of Fame and in 2012, was inducted into the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame. In 1945, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Teacher's College of Columbia University in New York City.
A principle underlying the problem-solving approach is that for each identified problem, pertinent data is collected.