Philosophy of Nursing
Philosophy of Nursing: The Art and Science of Caring
Stephanie Gray
Jacksonville University
Philosophy of Nursing: The Art and Science of Caring According to Chitty (2004), “Philosophies of nursing are statements of beliefs about nursing and expressions of values in nursing that are used as bases for thinking and activity” (p. 230). Developing a personal philosophy of nursing must integrate the elements of nursing, the individual, the environment, health, and illness. Throughout this paper, this author will describe a personal nursing philosophy developed while working in an intensive care unit. Nursing is the art of incorporating trust, compassion, and caring for the client, as well as science of the pursuit of knowledge, all while maintaining personal beliefs and values. The nursing profession is learned and practiced as an art as well as a scientific skills and knowledge obtained through education and professional experience. Human caring involves a will and commitment to care, values, knowledge, caring actions and their consequences (Blais & Hayes, 2011). The theory of human caring was developed by Jean Watson in 1979 to reflect her views on the caring science. The author agrees with Watson’s model because it demonstrates the interrelationship that exists between the nurse and the patient, thereby forming a process of caring from one human being to another (Bailey, 2009).
Individual
To succeed as a nurse, one must look past the issues and first see just the person. Not only does the nurse care for the person, the caring must extend to the family as well. Family members’ emotional connections to the patient provide additional and important knowledge to the nurse that may influence the care and the patient’s health (Mitchell, Chaboyer, Burmeister, & Foster, 2009). The client is not considered as just an individual receiving care, but also their family and/or the community in which they live are considered (Lachman, 2009). The focus of the
Stephanie Gray
Jacksonville University
Philosophy of Nursing: The Art and Science of Caring According to Chitty (2004), “Philosophies of nursing are statements of beliefs about nursing and expressions of values in nursing that are used as bases for thinking and activity” (p. 230). Developing a personal philosophy of nursing must integrate the elements of nursing, the individual, the environment, health, and illness. Throughout this paper, this author will describe a personal nursing philosophy developed while working in an intensive care unit. Nursing is the art of incorporating trust, compassion, and caring for the client, as well as science of the pursuit of knowledge, all while maintaining personal beliefs and values. The nursing profession is learned and practiced as an art as well as a scientific skills and knowledge obtained through education and professional experience. Human caring involves a will and commitment to care, values, knowledge, caring actions and their consequences (Blais & Hayes, 2011). The theory of human caring was developed by Jean Watson in 1979 to reflect her views on the caring science. The author agrees with Watson’s model because it demonstrates the interrelationship that exists between the nurse and the patient, thereby forming a process of caring from one human being to another (Bailey, 2009).
Individual
To succeed as a nurse, one must look past the issues and first see just the person. Not only does the nurse care for the person, the caring must extend to the family as well. Family members’ emotional connections to the patient provide additional and important knowledge to the nurse that may influence the care and the patient’s health (Mitchell, Chaboyer, Burmeister, & Foster, 2009). The client is not considered as just an individual receiving care, but also their family and/or the community in which they live are considered (Lachman, 2009). The focus of the
References: Bailey, D. N. (2009). Caring Defined: A Comparison and Analysis. International Journal for Human Caring, 13(1), 16-31. Blais, K Catalano, J. T. (2006). Nursing now: today 's issues, tomorrow 's trends. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis. Chitty, K Hussey, T. (2009). Nursing and spirituality. Nursing Philosophy, 10(2), 71-80. Lachman, V Mitchell, M., Chaboyer, W., Burmeister, E., & Foster, M. (2009). Positive Effects of a Nursing Intervention on Family-Centered Care in Adult Critical Care. American Journal of Critical Care, 18(6), 543-551. Nightingale, F Sellman, D. (2007). Trusting patients, trusting nurses. Nursing Philosophy, 8(1), 28-36. Van der Cingel, M Watson, J. (1988). Nursing: human science and human care : a theory of nursing. New York, NY: National League for Nursing.