Philosophy of nursing

Philosophy of Nursing

Nursing is both a science and an art. Through nursing, individuals are provided with health care and their societal needs are met. In the health care industry, nurses are at the forefront of patient care, interacting with individuals, families, and communities to promote good health, provide medical education, encourage disease prevention, care for the ill, and rehabilitate those in need (Potter, Patricia, et al., 2000, pp. 24-25). Nurses must multitask, acting in collaboration with other health care disciplines to promote a healthy environment.

Perhaps the greatest philosophy of nursing is that health is the right of every individual and that health care is the responsibility of society. The philosophy of nursing goes a step beyond defining the role of nursing in society. The philosophy of nursing is concerned with how nursing activities are done, and what elements guide the practice of nursing.

Most people that enter the field of nursing have a preconceived idea of what the job will involve, as far as activities and duties. As nurses complete their education, these ideas change. Again, these ideas change when nurses actually enter the field. This is because the philosophy of nursing is constantly evolving.

The philosophy of nursing involves (Potter, Patricia, et al., 2000, pp. 132-135):

Ontology. What is the nature of nursing?

Epistemology. What is the nature of nursing knowledge?

Ethics: what is the nature of nursing conduct?

Simply defined, a philosophy is a group of principles or beliefs about something. A philosophy serves to explain the ideals and goals of a particular thing. The philosophy of nursing serves as a reminder to nurses of the ethical goals in education, in practice, in research and in theory generation.

Defining Nursing

First and foremost, nursing involves working with people. To be a good nurse, a nurse must understanding and working with an individual's environment to enhance the person's well being. A nurse's job is to assist patients, families and communities in enhancing their level of health.

Nursing is one of the greatest services to humanity (Blais, et al., 2001). Nurses commit their lives to promoting and restoring health; preventing illness of individuals, families, groups, and communities; and supporting dignified death.

There are several basic elements in the philosophy of nursing. Nurses must recognize that each person is a unique individual with biological, psychological, social and spiritual needs. All individuals are entitled to the best care possible.

Nursing is dynamic, evolving from changes in health care, and advances in medical science and technology. According to the ANA, nurses must participate in the advancement of the profession through contributions to practice, education, administration, and knowledge development.

Nursing care is patient-centered, based on a systematic problem-solving approach, and is realized through effective management of resources. One of the major points stressed by the ANA is that nurses must exercise compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of illness.

Nurses deliver care in accordance with the general standards of nursing practice. The ANA specifically states that nurses are responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation to provide optimum patient care.

Nurses collaborate with other health care professionals and the community to ensure effective delivery of care. According to the ANA, nurses must collaborate with other health professionals and the public in promoting community, national, and international efforts to meet health needs.

Professional nursing practice is achieved through continuing nursing education and research. According to the ANA, this is an important point, as the profession of nursing, as represented by associations and their members, is responsible for articulating nursing values, for maintaining the integrity of the profession and its practice, and for shaping social policy.

Enforcing the Nursing Philosophy

State laws authorizes and obliges the Board of Nursing to promulgate and enforce regulations concerning nursing practice and education.".. As it deems necessary for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare, and for proper administration of its responsibilities." (Blais, et al., 2001, pg. 198) This means that the state plays a large role in determining if nurses meet the good moral character requirement for licensure.

Many state laws enforce the nursing philosophy. For instance, there is a state law against patient abandonment, which is defined as "abandoning or neglecting a patient or client under and in need of immediate professional care, without making reasonable arrangements for the continuation of such care." (Blais, et al., 2001, pg. 42)Therefore, if a hospital is understaffed, a nurse cannot refuse to work overtime as they are going against their professional judgment if they leave before reasonable care arrangements have been made for their patients. State laws also regulate nursing in regards to patient protection, drug administration, conduct and many other things.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations has specifically designated standards regarding the assignment of nursing responsibilities. When assigning responsibility for providing nursing care to the patients, the registered nurse must consider factors related to 1) the patient, 2) the environment in which nursing care is provided, 3) the nursing staff member's competence, and 4) the degree of supervision required by and available to each nursing staff member assigned responsibility. (JCAHCO, 1990)

In the wake of a serious nursing shortage in the U.S., the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses sponsored a presentation titled, "Tell Me Again -- Why Did I Choose Nursing," in which nurses were asked to remember why they chose this field (NurseZone, 2002).

Many nurses have reported that they would not feel comfortable having a family member treated in the healthcare facility where they work because of the decline in ability to provide good care and the shortage of staff. This has led to much discouragement in the field.