PARSES THEORY IN PRACTICE WITH A GROUP IN THE COMMUNITY

The author, a nurse guided by Parse's theory of human becoming, descri bes one way to focus on quality of life in person-centered practice wi th a group in the community, in contrast to traditional nursing practi ce with groups in which the focus is on problems, learning, and social ly-defined responsibility. The author describes living true presence o ver a 10-week period in accord with Parse's practice method with a gro up of persons with genital herpes. Emerging patterns of health of the group are reported along with a loose agenda for community-based pract ice.