Is There a Unique Body of Nursing Knowledge
Do you believe that there is a unique body of nursing knowledge? Ukelegharanya Onyinye Joy Student#: 211969326 Nursing 3010 3.0 Section L York University June 7, 2012
Nursing is a dynamic discipline and self-regulated profession. In Ontario, the regulatory body of nursing is the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). The title nurse is protected by the College and only an individual with comprehensive nursing knowledge is legally entitled to practice nursing and use the title nurse. Having a unique body of knowledge is one thing that defines a profession in our society therefore nursing knowledge can be described as both a science and art. Nursing as a science is the application of nursing knowledge and the technical aspects of the practice while its artistic aspect is the establishment of a caring relationship through which nurses apply nursing knowledge, skills and judgment in a compassionate manner (CNO, 2007). Nurses use a wide range of theoretical and practical knowledge in their work. Based on a number of reasons, I agree that there is a unique body of nursing knowledge. According to Carper, nursing knowledge can be empirical, personal, aesthetic, and ethical (Meleis, 2012). A nurse’s knowledge is based on human caring science rather than a traditional science, which can see human life as a precious gift. It uses qualitative theories and research methods such as case studies, stories and research (Watson, 2012). The human caring science requires the nurse to be “a scientist, scholar, and clinician but also humanitarian and moral agent” (Watson, 2012, p. 66). Nursing in a human caring science context is based on “a philosophy of human freedom, choice, and responsibility, and a
Nursing is a dynamic discipline and self-regulated profession. In Ontario, the regulatory body of nursing is the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). The title nurse is protected by the College and only an individual with comprehensive nursing knowledge is legally entitled to practice nursing and use the title nurse. Having a unique body of knowledge is one thing that defines a profession in our society therefore nursing knowledge can be described as both a science and art. Nursing as a science is the application of nursing knowledge and the technical aspects of the practice while its artistic aspect is the establishment of a caring relationship through which nurses apply nursing knowledge, skills and judgment in a compassionate manner (CNO, 2007). Nurses use a wide range of theoretical and practical knowledge in their work. Based on a number of reasons, I agree that there is a unique body of nursing knowledge. According to Carper, nursing knowledge can be empirical, personal, aesthetic, and ethical (Meleis, 2012). A nurse’s knowledge is based on human caring science rather than a traditional science, which can see human life as a precious gift. It uses qualitative theories and research methods such as case studies, stories and research (Watson, 2012). The human caring science requires the nurse to be “a scientist, scholar, and clinician but also humanitarian and moral agent” (Watson, 2012, p. 66). Nursing in a human caring science context is based on “a philosophy of human freedom, choice, and responsibility, and a
References: College of Nurses of Ontario. (2007, January). Standard of Care: Fact Sheet. Toronto: Author (pub. No. 44033). College of Nurses of Ontario. (Revised, 2009). Practice Standard: Ethics. Toronto: Author (pub. No. 41034). Meleis, A.I. (2012). Theoretical Nursing: Development and Progress (5th Ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Watson, J. (2012). Human Caring Science: A Theory of Nursing. Sudbury, U.S.A: Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC.