what is nursing? why does nursing exist? why do you practice nursing? Assumptions of underlying beliefs about nursing? patients? other healthealthcare providers? communities? Define the major domains of nursing and provide examples: person, health, environment, and nursing. Discuss the relationship of theoretical frameworks to current practive and identify the theoretical framework that guides your nursing practice.
The Essence of Nursing: An Exploration of Its Underlying Beliefs, Domains, and Theoretical Frameworks
Introduction
Nursing is an intricate and evolving profession that has played a crucial role in the healthcare system for centuries. It is both a science and an art, encompassing a wide range of knowledge, skills, and values. This essay explores the concept of nursing within the last five years, delving into its definition, purpose, the underlying beliefs, and assumptions about nursing, patients, other healthcare providers, and communities. Furthermore, it delineates the major domains of nursing—person, health, environment, and nursing—while discussing the relationship between theoretical frameworks and current nursing practice. Finally, the essay identifies and discusses the theoretical framework that guides my own nursing practice.
What is Nursing?
To understand nursing, one must first grasp its fundamental essence. Nursing is a multifaceted profession that goes beyond merely providing medical care. It encompasses a holistic approach to healthcare, involving the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of individuals. The American Nurses Association (ANA) defines nursing as “the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, facilitation of healing, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations” (ANA, 2015).
This definition underscores the diverse roles that nurses play in healthcare. Nurses not only administer medications and perform procedures but also provide emotional support, educate patients and their families, advocate for patient rights, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care. Moreover, nursing extends beyond the hospital walls, with community health nurses working to improve the health of populations and reduce health disparities.
Why Does Nursing Exist?
Nursing exists for several compelling reasons, all of which contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities. At its core, nursing serves as a vital component of the healthcare system. The following are key reasons why nursing is an essential profession:
- Promotion of Health and Prevention of Illness: Nursing focuses on promoting health and preventing illness through education, lifestyle modifications, and preventive measures. Nurses play a pivotal role in immunization campaigns, health screenings, and health promotion initiatives.
- Patient-Centered Care: Nursing is rooted in the principle of patient-centered care. Nurses prioritize the needs and preferences of individual patients, fostering a therapeutic and empathetic relationship that supports the patient’s overall well-being.
- Advocacy and Empowerment: Nurses advocate for patients’ rights and act as their voice within the healthcare system. They empower patients to make informed decisions about their care and treatment options.
- Holistic Approach: Nursing acknowledges the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and social aspects of health. Nurses provide holistic care that addresses the entirety of a person’s well-being, recognizing that health is not solely the absence of illness.
- Collaboration: Nursing is a collaborative profession that works in concert with other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive patient care. This interprofessional collaboration enhances the quality of healthcare delivery.
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Nurses engage in research to advance the field and ensure that care is based on the best available evidence. This commitment to evidence-based practice enhances patient outcomes and safety.
- Community Health: Nursing extends its impact beyond the individual patient to encompass communities and populations. Community health nurses work to improve the health of communities through health education, disease prevention, and health promotion.
Why Do You Practice Nursing?
Personal motivations for practicing nursing can vary widely among individuals, but they often align with the core values and principles of the profession. In my case, the decision to practice nursing is driven by a deep-seated desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives, promote health and well-being, and contribute to the betterment of communities. Nursing, to me, is not just a profession but a calling—a calling to provide care, comfort, and support to those in need.
The Assumptions of Underlying Beliefs about Nursing
Nursing is underpinned by a set of assumptions and underlying beliefs that shape the way nurses approach their practice. These assumptions revolve around nursing itself, patients, other healthcare providers, and communities.
- Nursing:
- Assumption: Nursing is both a science and an art.
- Explanation: Nursing combines scientific knowledge with compassionate care. It requires a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and evidence-based practice, coupled with the art of empathetic communication and individualized care.
- Patients:
- Assumption: Patients are unique individuals with diverse needs and experiences.
- Explanation: Nursing recognizes the individuality of each patient, respecting their autonomy and acknowledging that their experiences, values, and beliefs influence their health and well-being.
- Other Healthcare Providers:
- Assumption: Interprofessional collaboration is essential for quality patient care.
- Explanation: Nursing operates within a healthcare team, and effective collaboration with physicians, therapists, pharmacists, and other professionals is necessary to provide comprehensive care.
- Communities:
- Assumption: Communities play a significant role in shaping health outcomes.
- Explanation: Nursing acknowledges that health is influenced by social determinants, and communities have a role in promoting health and preventing illness. Community health nurses work to address these determinants and improve the overall health of populations.
The Major Domains of Nursing and Examples
Nursing encompasses four major domains that guide its practice and focus. These domains are person, health, environment, and nursing. Let’s delve into each domain and provide examples to illustrate their significance.
- Person:
- Definition: The “person” domain in nursing pertains to the individual receiving care, whether it’s a patient, family member, or community member.
- Examples:
- In a hospital setting, the person domain involves assessing a patient’s physical and emotional needs, providing pain management, and ensuring their comfort during recovery.
- In community health nursing, the person domain extends to educating individuals and families about preventive measures, such as proper nutrition and immunizations, to improve their overall health.
- Health:
- Definition: The “health” domain encompasses the state of well-being or illness experienced by the person.
- Examples:
- In critical care nursing, the health domain involves closely monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and implementing interventions to stabilize a critically ill patient’s condition.
- In public health nursing, the health domain focuses on disease prevention and health promotion within a community. This may include organizing vaccination clinics, conducting health education campaigns, and addressing environmental health issues.
- Environment:
- Definition: The “environment” domain considers the external factors that influence a person’s health, including physical, social, and cultural aspects.
- Examples:
- In pediatric nursing, the environment domain involves creating a child-friendly and safe hospital environment to reduce anxiety and promote healing for young patients.
- In disaster nursing, the environment domain entails responding to natural or man-made disasters and providing care in challenging and unpredictable conditions.
- Nursing:
- Definition: The “nursing” domain represents the actions and interventions taken by nurses to meet the needs of the person and promote their health.
- Examples:
- In psychiatric nursing, the nursing domain involves therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and medication administration to support individuals with mental health challenges.
- In palliative care nursing, the nursing domain focuses on pain management, emotional support, and enhancing the quality of life for patients with terminal illnesses.
Relationship of Theoretical Frameworks to Current Practice
Theoretical frameworks in nursing provide a structured and systematic way to understand and approach patient care. These frameworks are essential in guiding nursing practice, research, and education. They help nurses make informed decisions, prioritize care, and provide a theoretical foundation for their actions.
One prominent theoretical framework that has significantly influenced current nursing practice is the Nursing Theory of Human Caring, developed by Dr. Jean Watson. This theory emphasizes the importance of the nurse-patient relationship and caring as the essence of nursing. It posits that caring is central to healing and involves transpersonal interactions, where the nurse and patient connect at a deep, spiritual level. This framework guides nursing practice by encouraging nurses to be present, empathetic, and compassionate caregivers.
In my own nursing practice, I am guided by the Roy Adaptation Model, developed by Sister Callista Roy. This model views the individual as a holistic adaptive system and posits that nursing should focus on helping individuals adapt to changes in their health and environment. It guides my practice by encouraging a comprehensive assessment of patients’ adaptive responses and tailoring interventions to support their adaptation.
Identifying and Applying a Theoretical Framework in Nursing Practice
The choice of a theoretical framework in nursing practice is a deeply personal one, often influenced by one’s values, beliefs, and experiences. In my nursing practice, I align closely with the Humanistic Nursing Theory, which draws inspiration from the works of theorists like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. This theory places a strong emphasis on the human experience and the uniqueness of each individual.
The Humanistic Nursing Theory resonates with me because it aligns with my core belief that every patient is a unique individual deserving of respect, dignity, and person-centered care. This theory encourages nurses to see beyond the diagnosis and focus on the person as a whole. It emphasizes the importance of building trust, fostering open communication, and involving patients in their care decisions.
In my daily practice, I strive to create a therapeutic environment where patients feel heard, valued, and supported. I believe that by addressing not only the physical but also the emotional and psychosocial needs of patients, I can contribute to their overall well-being and healing process.
Conclusion
Nursing is a dynamic and multifaceted profession that has evolved to encompass a wide range of roles and responsibilities. It exists to promote health, prevent illness, and provide compassionate care to individuals and communities. Nursing is guided by a set of underlying beliefs and assumptions about the profession, patients, healthcare providers, and communities.
The major domains of nursing—person, health, environment, and nursing—serve as the framework for nursing practice, guiding the care provided to individuals across various settings. The choice of a theoretical framework in nursing practice is a personal one and significantly influences the approach to patient care.
In my own nursing practice, I am guided by the Humanistic Nursing Theory, which emphasizes the importance of the human experience and person-centered care. This framework aligns with my belief in the uniqueness and dignity of each individual and shapes the way I approach and provide care.
In conclusion, nursing is not just a profession but a calling—a calling to make a positive impact on the lives of others, promote health and well-being, and advocate for the well-being of individuals and communities. It is a profession built on a foundation of caring, compassion, and a commitment to holistic, patient-centered care.
References
American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). American Nurses Association.
Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The philosophy and science of caring (revised ed.). University of Colorado Denver.
Roy, C., & Andrews, H. A. (1999). The Roy adaptation model. Pearson.
Maslow, A. H. (1954). Motivation and personality. Harper.
Rogers, C. (1959). A theory of therapy, personality, and interpersonal relationships, as developed in the client-centered framework. In S. Koch (Ed.), Psychology: A study of a science (Vol. 3, pp. 184-256). McGraw-Hill.
