This paper articulates a personal philosophy of nursing by examining the experiences and education that shaped it, then applies that philosophy to the four core concepts of the nursing metaparadigm: person, environment, health, and nursing. The author argues for a holistic view of each concept, emphasizing that quality care requires considering the whole patient rather than isolated symptoms. The paper then identifies Orlando's nursing process theory as the framework most compatible with this philosophy, noting its alignment with holistic care, health literacy, and preventive medicine. Together, the four metaparadigm concepts form an integrated foundation for patient-centered nursing practice.
Having a personal philosophy of nursing is important because it provides the nurse with a framework to apply throughout a career of caring for patients. Personal understanding is the bedrock of growth and development, so it is appropriate to stop and consider how one's own philosophy of nursing aligns with one's view of the nursing metaparadigm. This paper identifies the factors that have influenced the development of my personal nursing philosophy, discusses my thoughts regarding the four metaparadigm concepts, and examines the nursing theory most compatible with my personal philosophy.
Two primary factors have influenced the development of my personal nursing philosophy: (1) my education, and (2) my own experience and understanding of nursing. My education has taught me the basics of nursing and the need to deliver quality care to patients. However, what it means to deliver quality care differs from person to person. My own experience relates to how I have observed nurses conduct themselves with my loved ones in the hospital. I have always admired nurses who do not even seem like nurse professionals in the clinical sense — rather, when they enter the room they seem like an old friend.
The type of nurse I have always admired is one who knows everything needed to meet the patient's needs, yet whose personality, engagement, support, comfort, and assistance feel like those of a true friend. I find that style of nursing to be most excellent. I have had many loved ones in the hospital over the years, and whenever that type of nurse entered the room, you could feel it — everyone would light up and feel happier that this person was there. That experience is one of the biggest factors that has shaped my personal nursing philosophy, because it is that type of nurse I would like to become.
The most consistent philosophical component of the concept of "person" is the dimension of wholeness, or holism. Holism means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts: the whole cannot be reduced to its parts without losing something in the process (Erickson, 2007; Rajabpour & Rayyani, 2019). In terms of healthcare and caring for the person, it means that it is not sufficient for a nurse to simply treat symptoms.
My personal understanding of this concept is that all elements of the individual patient must be considered. Nursing care should involve the whole patient, not just a single illness or health concern. Every person has different needs and therefore requires a different, personalized plan of care. I may be caring for a patient with a particular health condition, and although I may be following the physician's orders to treat that specific condition, I must also consider many other factors to provide the most optimal care. These factors vary from patient to patient, but in general they include culture, emotion, education, continuing care, family, and co-morbidities. The point is that there are many facets of a patient's life to consider when treating the whole person.
As far as the nursing concept of environment is concerned, I believe it means looking beyond the patient to the space in which the patient lives, acts, works, and engages. Environment is a major factor in people's health, and yet many people seem unaware of the ways their surroundings affect them (Frank, Engelke, & Schmid, 2003). In order to provide the best plan of care, the nurse must consider the circumstances and conditions by which the patient is surrounded. I believe social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an individual or community are part of the environment concept and should be considered as well.
I define health as a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. This concept will inevitably be viewed differently by everyone. Some people, aware that their health is not perfect, are nonetheless content and accept the aches and pains that come with old age. Others believe every minor issue should be treated. I look at health the way a mechanic looks at cars: cars are not meant to last forever, and neither is the human person. Health deteriorates over time, and that is natural. Quality of life is what matters most when I think of health.
I believe health is the overall state of a person considering the many different aspects of wellness. For instance, one could be in great physical shape while simultaneously experiencing poor mental health. I have always believed that poor mental health affects overall health. That said, I view health as a collective outcome of all conditions, good or bad. For example, someone could be born without a limb and live a perfectly happy and healthy life — that person may be physically disabled to an extent but have no illness or disease and maintain a high quality of life. I would call that person healthy.
I believe nursing is the physical act of holistically caring for another person's well-being. Every nurse develops his or her own style of practice based on many different factors, but to me the one universal characteristic is caring. Providing quality care to a person in need is what nursing is fundamentally about.
"How person, environment, health, and nursing interconnect"
"Orlando's nursing process theory aligns with holistic philosophy"
Nursing process theory posits that the patient may express a need, but that expression may not encompass the full extent of the need. My job as a nurse is therefore to explore the deeper and broader health needs of the patient together with the patient, holistically bringing health by applying nursing process theory as articulated by Orlando (Faust, 2002). To provide quality care, the nurse should help bring awareness to the patient so that the patient understands the whole picture of his or her health. The patient should be educated, encouraged, and supported in a preventive way through preventive health practices. Treating a patient's symptoms alone is not my definition of healthcare. Applying preventive health is.
You’re 65% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 2 sections.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.