Personal philosophies
Nursing students develop personal philosophies to guide them through their professional journey. In doing so, they have to know how nursing, both as an art and as a science work. Along the way, their values change. They have to compromise their stand at times for the greater good. Nurses also have to conduct themselves according to their philosophies. They have to personalize the nursing’s metaparadigm. Their views then get to change with experience.
A personal philosophy based on the knowledge acquired focuses on the desire to help those people who are in need. Nursing is not only about treating illness. It also delivers a holistic and safe individualized patient care of high quality. Meeting the patient’s needs requires the clinical judgment of a nurse. Furthermore, nurses should engage patients in a mutual goal setting. Maintaining confidentiality and educating the patient is paramount. Finally, a nurse must care for their health first to provide others with better care. As an art, understanding, and communication with the patient unfold in personal philosophy.
Therefore, art connects patients with their nurses. At times the art gets manifested when a nurse saves a patient based on instinct. On the other hand, the science of nursing looks into disease processes, pathophysiology, and techniques learned in nursing school. Ultimately, nurses use art to share scientific knowledge and bond with patients.
Nursing curricula change the personal values of nursing students. In making decisions, the core values of nursing have come to play. For instance, one tends to inform others of other treatment options if they lack complete information. Another challenged assumption is providing autonomy to everyone everywhere. As a nurse, one should make decisions from one’s knowledge without necessarily turning to others. When it comes to ways of solving problems, some personal conflicts are issue-based. They require open communication, clarification, and occasional compromise from both parties. A practical example is changing bandages. Once nurses new to a facility realize that there is a preferred method different from theirs, they should adapt to it without coercing others about their way. Their colleagues should also try to weigh which method works best.
In illustrating personal philosophy, a nurse learns perpetually by seeking self-enhancement and acquiring current knowledge. Consequently, the beliefs evolve professionally through technological advancement and evidence-based practice. The philosophy of nursing gets illustrated when one uses beliefs and values to make personal decisions in everyday life. Kindness, integrity, and lifelong learning are to mention but a few of the qualities. As a nurse, empowering, curing, and ensuring the safety of a patient is evidence of personal philosophy in action.
The metaparadigm of nursing is a holistic perspective of care in which medical health and the well-being of a person have four interactive connection components. First is the people component who receive care. They get empowered to manage their health. For the environment component, one looks into the interactions of the patient. The interactions range from physical, social, locational, to technological. The health component is third in line. It entails the integration of emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, and physical well-being in health care. It also covers the genetics and lifespan of a person in optimizing their recovery. Finally, the nursing component applies skills, technology, professional criticism, and communication to offer the best health outcome. Notably, the first written philosophy of nursing has changed. First, the outlook on life is positive. Besides being enthusiastic, one views the ability to give hope to patients and their relatives as an essential contribution. As a nurse, one hopes to inspire, lead, and mentor others into the nursing profession. Finally, one can contribute to the improvement of healthcare quality by effectively managing pain upon becoming a nurse anesthetist.
In conclusion, a personal philosophy brings out the best in a nurse, while nursing as an art efficiently expresses nursing as a science. The nursing curricula also changes an individual for the better. However, other circumstances lead to personal conflict and demand compromise. It is also commendable for nurses to act on the philosophies they make. Having a personalized understanding of the nursing metaparadigm is good too. Lastly, the outlook on nursing changes as one progresses.