An Integral Philosophy and Definition of Nursing, Essay Example

Philosophy and science are important to practice a discipline because it takes a firm and rounded knowledge base in a subject, along with methodological backing and empirical research, along with a humanistic approach to the subject to do a job such as nursing well (Scott, 2013, p. 1). Such practice has become increasingly widespread “and integrated into the expectations and criteria for appointment and promotion” (Swartz, 2014, p. 1). Swartz (2014) goes on to argue that such practices are not being implemented into nursing programs but that it is necessary to implement them into a framework of nursing because such “philosophical underpinnings” (p. 1) helps identity a clear value in nursing on a humanistic level as well as a scientific one. Such an endeavor helps to legitimize nursing because it allows for a more widespread approach by focusing on mind-body-spirit-emotion-environment” (Klebanoff& Hess, 2013, para. 1) and this scrutinizes the nursing approach of not being solely about the science of nursing (western medicine) but also “being concerned with the whole person” (para. 2). Where nursing is concerned, scientists assume the perspective that “fully embraces all patterns of knowing, the emphasis shifts away from formally defined empiric theory to an emphasis on knowledge and knowing to the fullest extent possible” (Jarrin, 2007, p. 83). Such an instance in this is found when a nurse enters a room and takes in not just the patient’s vitals but their mood, look, countenance. Thus, a fully examined patient isn’t abdicated of their humanity during rounds but rather their entire being should be assessed when determining state of health.

References

Jarrin, O. (2007). An integral philosophy and definition of nursing. School of Nursing. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.uconn.edu

Klebanoff, N., Hess, D. (2013). Holistic nursing: focusing on the whole person. American Nurse Today, 8(10), 1-5.

Scott, P.A. (2013). Practical Nursing Philosophy: the universal code. Journal of Medical Ethics, 28 (2), 1.

Swartz, M.K. (2014). Critical theory as a framework for academic nursing practice. The Journal of Nursing Education, 53(5), 1-276.