Theoretical foundations

The FN-AIM builds on the seminal theoretical work of Dr. Marie-Luise Friedemann, Dr. Kathryn Hoehn Anderson and Dr. Patricia Short Tomlinson. These family nursing scholars described a theoretical practice base and methodology for advanced family nursing practice.

In her seminal 1989 paper, “The concept of family nursing”, Friedemann proposed that family nursing practice occurs on three levels: individual, interpersonal, and family system. In their 1992 paper, “The family health system as an emerging paradigmatic view for nursing”, Dr. Anderson and Dr. Tomlinson described five realms of family experience as the basis for nursing interventions focused on core family processes.

The outcome of interest will depend on the purpose and focus of the family nursing intervention. The outcome may be at the individual, interpersonal, or family system level. As the nurse becomes more skilled and experienced, the level and complexity of the intervention will shift to focus on the family as a system. Family system nursing interventions require systems thinking by the nurse.