Book excerpt: Used extensively in nursing education, Betty Neuman's Systems Model reflects nursing's interest in holism and in the influence of environment on health. This volume opens with a brief biography of Betty Neuman and continues with a succinct discussion of her theory that outlines its origins, assumptions, and the major concepts of the meta-paradigm of nursing. It continues with a presentation of the propositions of the conceptual model; examples for application to practice and research; classic works, critiques, and research; and a glossary of important terms.