This paper will contain a final review of my nursing philosophy in the form of my definition of the concepts involving the metaparadigm of nursing. It will also explore how my views have been challenged throughout the course. Finally, it will compare the ways in which my personal philosophy of nursing has changed from all the newly acquired knowledge.
Definition of the Concepts Involving the Meta-Paradigm of Nursing
The first concept of the metaparadigm of nursing is the person. This includes not only the individual receiving care but also their social connections, their family, and other people that are close to the patient (McEwen & Wills, 2014). In my own nursing practice, I consider it crucial to understand their physical, intellectual, biological, and psychological makeup and their needs in general.
The concept of health is dependent on many factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and psychological well-being, and is continuously changing. It focuses on the person’s ability to function independently, and it is often the reason why the individual needs nursing (McEwen & Wills, 2014). It is my understanding that a nurse’s goal is to assist the patient in reaching their full potential; this includes their physical abilities, social opportunities, and quality of life.
The concept of environment is a vast one, some people could even say that it overlaps with the person and nursing. On the one hand, the environment could mean the place where they live or are being housed temporarily. On the other hand, it could mean the person’s social circles and interactions. For me, the importance of the environment is in its ability to improve the patient’s health through factors that are not directly related to them.
The fourth and final concept is nursing itself – it is an art of caring for a person to help them regain their independence to the capacity that they are fully capable of. It is essential that the individual in need of assistance accepts the situation and works together with the medical professionals to achieve an agreed-upon objective, which ultimately results in them being healed (McEwen & Wills, 2014). From my point of view, the agreement and understanding between the patient and the doctor regarding the set goals and care plans is the most vital part of nursing.
Changes and Challenges
While my personal nursing philosophy has not changed drastically through the course, it has still been affected by the new knowledge I have gained. The changes are most evident in the concept of the environment, the importance of which seemed very different to me at the beginning of my studies. As an art and a science person, my philosophy of nursing has become more profound, as I have gained more practical experience and a deeper understanding of the nursing meta-paradigms.
A certain aspect of the concept of nursing has challenged my personal values. The idea that a person may disagree with a care plan and refuse any help has always been shocking to me. While I always understood that freedom of choice is a fundamental human right, as a caretaker, I struggled greatly to truly accept the fact that it may come at the cost of their health. My actions prove that I discerned this view, since I have never used shady tactics to persuade or otherwise get the patient to take the course that they may not necessarily want. In conclusion, I am thankful that this course has allowed me to refine and polish my nursing philosophy in ways that would have taken me much longer to find on my own.
Reference
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2014). Theoretical basis for nursing (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.