Dorothy E. Johnson Pioneer of Behavioral System Model

Dorothy E. JohnsonPioneer of Behavioral System ModelNursing Theorist Group 10 PresentationFlorida International University

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Dorothy E. JohnsonBiography/Early Life/Education/Career/WorksDorothy E. Johnson (August 21,1919-February 1999) was an outstanding nurse theorist and educator who developed the Behavioral System Model theory.Her theory of nursing defines nursing as An external regulatory force which acts to preserve the organization and integration of the patients behaviors at an optimum level under those conditions in which the behavior constitutes a threat to the physical or social health, or in which illness is found. Early LifeBorn on August 21,1919 in Savannah, GeorgiaYoungest in the family of seven childrenHer father was a shrimp and oyster factory superintendent and her mother was very involved and enjoyed reading1938 graduated with an associates degree from Armstrong Junior College, Savannah, Georgia.Due to the Great Depression at this time, she took a year off from school to be a governess or teacher, for two children in Miami, Florida. It was during this time when she decided on a career that would encompass nursing, children and education.

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Class 1942 with Dorothy Johnson on the back raw second from the leftDorothy E. Johnson Education/ CareerPost graduation, Johnsons career involved mostly teaching, although she was a staff nurse for a year at Chatham-Savannah Health Council from 1943-1944.In 1949 Dorothy joined the faculty of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where she and Lulu K. Wolf Hassenplug developed the first four year generic basis nursing program in the United States. She was an assistant professor of pediatric nursing, an associate professor of nursing, and a professor of nursing at the UCLA.In 1955-1956, Johnson was a pediatric nursing advisor assigned to the Christian Medical College School of Nursing in Vellore, South IndiaFrom 1965-1967, she served as chairperson on the committee of the California Nurses Association that developed a position statement on the specifications for the clinical specialist.She remained at UCLA until her retirement in 1978Obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee. 1942She was the top student in her class and received the prestigious Vanderbilt medal.She worked briefly as a public health nurse and in 1944 returned to Vanderbilt as an instructor in Pediatric NursingMasters in Public Health from Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. 1948

Behavioral System ModelJohnsons greatest Behavior System Model nursing theory began to form in the 1940s, during her early teaching yearsIn 1968 her theory was first proposed and presented in written form in 1980.Her model states that each individual has patterned, purposeful, repetitive ways of acting that comprises a behavioral system specific to that individual.The model is a fostering of the efficient way and effective behavioral functioning in the patient to prevent illness.The patient is defined as a behavioral system composed of seven behavioral subsystems: affiliative, dependency, ingestive, eliminative, sexual, aggressive, achievement.An imbalance in each system results in disequilibrium. The nurses role is to help the patient maintain his or her equilibrium.As noted in her article: The significance of Nursing Care, Equilibrium is the key word in this definition of nursings specific responsibility in patient care.

Dorothy Johnson Works/ Awards/ HonorsWorksJohnson was a prolific writer on the subject of nursing theory.Her publications include four books, over 30 articles in periodicals, many reports, proceedings, and monographs.Most known works:Her 1968 paper, entitled, One Conceptual Model of Nursing.Theory Development: What, Why, How?Barriers and Hazards in Counseling.Awards and HonorsIn later years, Johnson was given many honors including

1975 UCLA Faculty Award from graduate students1977 Lulu Hassenplug Distinguished Achievement Award from California Nurses Association1981 Vanderbilt School Nursing Award for Excellence in Nursing.

Dorothy JohnsonLast yearsDorothy Johnson retired from UCLA in 1978 as Professor Emeritus. She spent her last years in Key Largo, Florida, where she helped others with research and the development of her theory.She remained active in retirement as a speaker and advocate for nursing education.Johnson died in February 1999 at the age 80.Before she died, she was pleased that her theory had been found useful in practice as the criteria for excellence in nursing.

ReferencesAlligood, M., & Tomey, A. (2010) Nursing Theorists and their work, seventh edition. Maryland Heights, Mo.: Mosby-Elsevier.Dorothy E. Johnson Biographical File. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/diglib/sc_diglib/archColl/1014.htmlWayne, Gil (2014) Dorothy E. Johnson- Pioneer of Behavioral System Model. Retrieved March 8, 2016, from http://www.nurseslabs.com/dorothy-e-johnsons-behavioral-system-model/Johnson, E. D. (1961). The Significance of Nursing Care. American Journal of Nursing, 61(11), 63-66.