Aspects of Philosophy of Nursing

Topic: Nursing
Words: 1250 Pages: 4

Introduction

Nursing models are designed to help future nurses better navigate their profession. These models are closely related to the nursing process and its implementation. Moreover, the stages of this process open the way to the practical implementation of the nursing model and reflect its essence. In the form of written statements and diagrams, they are a series of concise concepts combined into a coherent theory.

The philosophy of nursing reflects the worldview of the nurse concerning her activities, the formation of a holistic view of nursing, the role, and the place of nursing staff in it. At the center of this philosophy, this worldview is a person, sick, healthy, or dying. A person who has biological, psychological, social, and spiritual needs and needs help. This philosophy is based on the universal principles of ethics and morality, where much attention is paid to the nurse’s attitude toward the patient as a person. The basic principles of the philosophy of nursing are respect for the life, dignity, and rights of the patient.

Philosophy at the University of Florida College of Nursing

The main principles of the philosophy of nursing at the University of Florida College of Nursing are respect for life, dignity, and human rights. They believe in the sacred gift of life and, in this regard, consider each person as a whole with internal possibilities for growth and development of the physical, philosophical, social, cultural, intellectual, and spiritual. The obligations of nurses include respect for patients and their right to independence. Following this, they act based on the principles: do no harm, do good, be able to cooperate and be devoted to both the profession and the patient. Nursing has no restrictions on national, racial, age, gender, political or religious beliefs or social status.

The core mission of the college is to transform the health of the population through the application of innovative methods and practices, essential research, and important academic resources. In addition, the vision includes providing individualized care for each patient and conducting the necessary tests that affect the practice. The goal of the college is to produce healthcare professionals who are ready to care for and inspire others. Moreover, the college considers several values that students correspond to. These virtues include balance, caring, courage, curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, diversity, learning, and excellence.

The need for nursing care is universal, it is necessary for a person from birth to death. In assisting the patient, the sister tries to create an atmosphere of respect for his ethical values, customs, and spiritual beliefs. The nurse maintains confidentiality in the interests of the patient and protects information if it does not contradict his health and the health of society. The mission is consistent with the higher institution in that they offer high-tech inclusive education and are aimed at improving the lives of society. Moreover, their vision and values are caring, educating, and eager to create momentum for better public health.

From the point of view of Human beings, philosophy considers how biological, psychological, social, and spiritual components make up a single whole of a person and a patient. They are characteristic of all people, but individual for each and form a unique personality. The nurse must be ready to deal with any patient and respect his past and present life values, customs, and beliefs (Thompson et al., 2018). According to the philosophy, the nurse has an impact on the environment and builds her relationship with the patient depending on the environment in which he grew up, lived, and works.

Philosophy says about health, that the habitat leaves an imprint on the constitution and character of people, and therefore on their illnesses and well-being. According to the program, health can be defined both objectively and subjectively: it is a goal to strive for (Louis et al., 2020). It includes the ability to take care of oneself, provide a sense of integrity, and cope with stress through adaptation. Its integral part is the process of continuous growth and formation. Moreover, concerning nursing, the philosophy indicates that every person has the right to receive highly qualified care.

Changes in Philosophy

Ethical changes need to be made to the nursing curriculum, which requires a revision of the underlying philosophical statement. It is necessary to change the approach to teaching nursing and add to the course an in-depth explanation of deontology and non-verbal communication between the patient and the healthcare professional. A medical worker is entrusted with the most precious thing – life, health, and the well-being of people. This person is responsible for the patient, his relatives, and the state as a whole. Unfortunately, even now, there are cases of irresponsible attitudes toward the patient: the desire to relieve oneself of responsibility for him and to find an excuse to shift responsibility to another.

The interaction of a doctor, a nurse, a paramedic, and a patient begins from the moment of their first contact, more often visual, when not a word has yet been uttered. Almost every patient intensely and attentively peers into the face of a medical worker, trying to understand what and how he will tell him. After all, every patient suffers from his illness and has a fear of disinterest, and indifference on the part of a doctor, nurse, or paramedic.

Thus, the new philosophy should be that In any communication with the patient, one must always remember that every word should be aimed at a beneficial psychological effect, raising the patient’s mood, and strengthening his confidence in recovery. In many cases, the word of a medical worker is no less healing than medicine. The basic principles of the philosophy of nursing are respect for the life, dignity, and rights of the patient. A nurse must be ready to interact with any person, and this is one of her main professional qualities.

Thus, the philosophical statement according to the new program can be defined as follows. The nature of the worldview is formed by the social environment of the individual, his upbringing, and self-education. Each person, in the process of forming his personal qualities, develops an individual idea of ​​health, illness, and the factors leading to it (Meehan et al., 2018). Therefore, for each patient, the medical worker creates an atmosphere of respect for his present and past, for his life values, habits, views, and religious beliefs (Cassiani & Neto, 2018). One of the key positions in the system of relations between a nurse and a patient is occupied by medical ethics, one of the components of which is the ethical code of nurses. It highlights the basic principles of behavior and assessment of the actions of a nurse and reflects the main goals, responsibilities, and values ​​in this profession. It constitutes a system of worldviews within which a sister can make ethical decisions and fulfill her responsibilities to society, colleagues, and her profession.

Conclusion

Thus, the philosophy of nursing reflects the attitude of a nurse toward her work and forms a holistic view of nursing, the role, and the place of nursing staff in it. Nursing is a part of the healthcare system, science, and art, a specific professional activity aimed at solving existing and potential patient health problems in a changing environment. The main principles of the philosophy of nursing are respect for life, dignity, and human rights. Medical professionals believe in the sacredness of the gift of life, and, in this regard, they consider each person as a single entity with an internal opportunity for growth and development.

References

Cassiani, S. H. D. B., & Lira Neto, J. C. G. (2018). Nursing perspectives and the “Nursing Now” campaign. Revista brasileira de enfermagem, 71, 2351-2352.

Louis, M., Treger, K., Ashby, T., Smotherman, C., Gautum, S., Seeram, V.,… & Jones, L. (2020). Patient-related factors may influence nursing perception of sleep in the Intensive Care Unit. Plos one, 15(1), 12-16.

Meehan, T. C., Timmins, F., & Burke, J. (2018). Fundamental care guided by the careful nursing philosophy and professional practice model. Journal of clinical nursing, 27(11-12), 2260-2273.

Thompson, L. M., Zablotska, L. B., Chen, J. L., Jong, S., Alkon, A., Lee, S. J., & Vlahov, D. (2018). Development of quantitative research skills competencies to improve doctor of philosophy nursing student training. Journal of Nursing Education, 57(8), 483-488.