NURSING METAPARADIGMS
Introduction
Nursing is a very crucial area of study in treating, taking care of, and maintaining the health of humanity. This is a field that is very important in the manner in which human beings get to heal faster. This is because it is a field that combines several practices all aimed at making a sick person, or even the one who is not sick but in need of attention, feel better faster. On the other hand, a meta-paradigm is a set of ideas and theories on how a certain discipline should be functioning. Therefore the meta-paradigms within the Nursing Act provide a structure of how nursing should be practiced and the tenets to be emphasized. Therefore, within nursing, the meta-paradigm involves 4 concepts that are very essential in making sure that nursing is done in the perfect and the desired manner for the best results, which generally are to alleviate the pain of the patient and aid in their healing. Therefore, this paper discusses the four concepts of the meta-paradigm of nursing, which are the person, the environment, health, and nursing, along with their importance and effect on the general nursing field.
The Concept of Environment in Nursing
The concept of environment is important as it directly affects the ease of patient recovery as well as how easy it gets for the people around the person to provide the necessary care. Therefore, the environment can heal in itself, or it can even devastate the effects of the disease or illness that afflicts the person who is ill (Hegge, 2013). For example, if a person receives treatment at home whereby they have the love and the care for those people who are beloved, it becomes easy for them to heal faster than if left in a hospital where it is very lonely and the nurse or the doctor only comes to administer the nurses with medicine. Watson was a major proponent of this concept of nursing meta-paradigm (Watson & Woodward, 2020).
The Importance of the Patient in Nursing Practice
The patient is the main focus and the most important aspect of the healthcare system. Jean Watson, Dorothea Orem, and Florence Nightingale all had different perspectives when it comes to patients. However, they shared a common aspect, which is the definition that each of the patients treated is unique and has to be cared for as an individual. Health is also a very important concept that is a part of the nursing meta-paradigm. Different theorists like Watson believed that an individual’s health included not just the physiological process but also aspects like mind, soul, body, spirit, and so much more (Watson, 2007). Nursing is defined as the caregiving process that aids in the healing of the individual, and it is very important as it provides the patient with all the necessary conditions for him/her to regain the health that existed before.
The Definition of Nursing and the Role of Caregiving
From my perspective, the definition of nursing is caregiving, which does not always have to be at the hospital. Even caregivers who are at home, like parents, can be referred to as nurses when a child is sick. The patient can be said to be anyone in need of nursing services and who, through the care and being looked after, is likely to regain their health status. Health is the state of a person’s condition concerning illnesses and diseases, and therefore, this is what determines if that person needs nursing services. The environment is a very important aspect of nursing since it is the environment that determines how nursing will work and be effective for the person to whom it is being administered.
Comparison of Nursing Philosophies
The University of Miami health facility has a philosophy that states that the basic thing about nursing is caring, along with other philosophies that are believed and trusted to be the best major practices within the nursing field. This can be compared to the Benjamín León School of Nursing philosophy, which states that the instruction and formation of nurses determine how effective they are in the job market; therefore, this explains that their main goal and objective is to make sure that the formation of nurses is apt for the sake of making sure their productivity is also very high. These two philosophies are important since their goal and aim is to make sure that the patients receive the best nursing services through the formation, as well as caring as a basic concept of nursing.
Personal Reflection on Nursing Philosophy
In this paper, therefore, focusing on the basic concept of nursing, which is caring for the patients, we look closely into Miami Dade College School of Nursing’s major philosophy, which is formed as a backbone of nursing. Therefore it is true that these two are very crucial and very important when it comes to nursing as they culminate into the delivery and service productivity of the nursing field.
Conclusion
In conclusion, therefore, I can say that through this paper, I have been able to experience satisfaction by learning about the different philosophies and how they apply to different times and practices within the nursing field. I also learned about what I value most in the meta-paradigms and what the environment is. The concept of a caring nature that is formed in the best manner possible culminates in my understanding of nursing and how I will be able to practice what I learn. Therefore, I have been able to connect with both philosophies. However, the one from the University of Miami health facility connects with me more easily as it teaches me that formation is important, but a caring nature is more important.
References
Hegge, M. (2013). Nightingale’s environmental theory. Nursing Science Quarterly, 26(3), 211-219.
University of Miami health system, philosophy statement (2021) https://umiamihealth.org/en/healthcare-professionals/nursing/about-umhc-nursing/our-mission,-vision,-values-and-philosophy#:~:text=We%20seek%20to%20provide%20excellence,innovative%20research%2C%20education%20and%20prevention. Accessed March 28th, 2021
Watson, J. (2007). Watson’s theory of human caring and subjective living experiences: curative factors/Caritas processes as a disciplinary guide to the professional nursing practice. Texto & Contexto-Enfermagem, 16(1), 129-135.
Watson, J., & Woodward, T. K. (2020). Jean Watson’s theory of human caring. SAGE Publications Limited.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the four concepts of the nursing metaparadigm?
The four concepts of the nursing metaparadigm are the person, environment, health, and nursing. These concepts shape how nursing care is delivered and how patients are supported in their healing process.
Why is the concept of the environment important in nursing?
The environment plays a crucial role in patient recovery, as it can either aid or hinder healing. A supportive and comfortable environment, such as at home with family care, can significantly improve the patient’s health outcomes.
How does the philosophy of caring impact nursing practice?
The philosophy of caring emphasizes that nursing is not just about providing medical treatment but also about providing emotional, psychological, and physical support to patients, which fosters healing and recovery.
What role does health play in the nursing metaparadigm?
Health is more than the absence of disease; it encompasses the overall well-being of a person, including mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Nursing aims to support patients in achieving and maintaining a balanced state of health.
What are the key differences between nursing philosophies from different institutions?
Nursing philosophies, like those from the University of Miami Health Facility and Miami Dade College School of Nursing, focus on the importance of caring for patients and ensuring proper formation and education for nursing professionals to ensure high-quality care.