Rosemarie Rizzo Parse Biography
Born: 1938
Human Becoming Theory (1981–1992)
Focus: human dignity, meaning, quality of life.
Education
BSN – Duquesne University (1960);
MSN – University of Pittsburgh (1966);
PhD – University of Pittsburgh (1969).
Career Highlights
Dean, Nursing at Duquesne University; Founder: Institute of Human Becoming;
President: International Association for Human Caring.
Human Becoming Theory Overview
Originally Human Becoming; later Human Becoming Paradigm; focuses on human–universe–health process through meaning, rhythmicity, transcendence.
Major Concepts (3 Themes)
Meaning, Rhythmicity, Transcendence.
Principle 1: Meaning
Humans co-create meaning through personal choices in a continuously changing world.
Principle 2: Rhythmicity
Humans live in rhythmic patterns with the world—revealing–concealing, connecting–separating, enabling–limiting.
Principle 3: Transcendence
Humans continuously transform; moving beyond the moment toward new possibilities.
Parse’s Definition of Man
Man is a unitary being, indivisible, freely choosing, coexisting with the environment.
Parse’s Definition of Health
Health is the process of human–universe becoming; living one’s values; not simply absence of disease.
Parse’s Definition of Nursing
Nursing is a human science and art of being with patients; guiding them in health co-creation through presence.
Parse’s Definition of Environment
The universe: mutual, continuous interchange between person and the world; inseparable from the human.
Human Becoming (3 Processes)
Co-creating meaning;
Co-transcending with possibles;
Co-transcending rhythmicity.
Principle 1:** Structuring Meaning**
Structuring meaning is the imaging and valuing of languaging. Structuring meaning: choosing personal interpretation of experiences.
Principle 2: Configuring rhythmical patterns
Configuring rhythmical patterns is the revealing-concealing and enabling-limiting of connecting-separating.
Configuring rhythmical patterns: living paradoxes in unity (revealing–concealing, connecting–separating).
Principle 3: Co-transcending with possibilities
Co-transcending with possibilities is the powering and
originating of transforming.
Co-transcending with possibles: moving beyond current situations toward hopes and dreams.
Goal of Nursing in Parse’s Theory
To enhance quality of life as the person defines it.
Role of Nurse
Be truly present, listen deeply, honor patient’s meaning and choices.
Nurse–Client Relationship
Mutual presence; nurse is a partner, not an authority.
Focus of Care
Quality of life from the patient’s perspective; supporting choices and dignity.
Nursing Interventions (Parse)
Deep presence, reflective questioning, understanding meaning—not problem-solving or symptom control.
Nurse’s Attitude
Nonjudgmental, respectful, present, honoring personal meanings.
Parse’s Stress on Freedom
Humans freely choose their path and interpret their experiences uniquely.
Human Becoming vs Medical Model
Human Becoming: meaning-centered, patient-defined health; Medical model: disease-focused, objective outcomes.
