Metaparadigm Theories of Nursing
Describe the definition of nursing as put forward by the American Nurses Association. How does it address the metaparadigm theories of nursing?
The American Nursing Association is a professional organization representing world-wide registered nurses with a mission to improve health for all. The ANA defines nursing as “the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities and populations” (ANA, 2013).
According to Creasia and Friberg (2011), “All theories have the potential to make substantial contributions to the nursing profession by enhancing the development of unique body of nursing knowledge. ” A theory is a system of ideas, and in nursing, there’s a process that encompasses different concepts closely associated with the general discipline of nursing: environment, health, nursing, and person (Creasia and Friberg, 2011). All of these are a variety of valuable approaches towards nursing practice and pertain to the metaparadigm theories of nursing.
A theory must work within a specific setting… Every situation is different, therefore, a theory may not be useful in every situation. Nursing, to me, involves so much more than just taking care of the sick. There was a time where I thought nursing was to just following doctors orders and provide care with compassion… I was completely wrong. I currently work at a teaching hospital along with many residents asking the nurses what to do.
What nursing actually is, and what nurses do encompass so much. Nursing is providing care to all individuals: families, communities, everyone. Nursing is providing medicine to one that is in need, or to just provide a simple act of kindness, support, or even a hug when needed. Sometimes the best medicine is simply just being there for someone and listening to [their] story. Nursing involves more than just medical skills, it involves compassion, caring, empathy, and sometimes providing hope.
It involves so much more than just taking care of the sick while following doctors orders. Nursing is a fulfilling/ genuine love that becomes a rewarding lifestyle… Not a job. A person can be categorized as the client, patient, wounded, or the vulnerable person laying in a hospital bed in need of help. Either way, it’s a person. There have been many times, specially while working in the ICU, where I would be taking care of a patient and shortly found myself providing care for the family.
Family members play a big part of providing care to a patient, rather it be comfort, or education, I would involve them in my patient care. To me, the patient isn’t just the “person” laying in the hospital bed. Every person has values that need to be respected and nurtured. Health. Many people consider health to being healthy, strong, well, and undiseased. I didn’t truly realize that “health” was an overall state-of-being until I became a nurse.
It was when I started working with patients when I realize that “health” involves an umbrella of things; mentally, physically, and spiritually, which are all more powerful than any disease alone. The definition of health doesn’t have to be so definite, but yet more indefinite. A perfectly healthy person may not agree. Health is objective, and exists in the objective view within an individual. My father considered himself healthy on the days where he was pain free, even though he had cancer.
Whereas someone else could view him to being ill or infected and unhealthy. Health can be completely individualized. Environment. Prior to becoming a nurse, environment to me meant a medical facility that encompassed a registered nurse, like a hospital or a doctors office. I was again wrong. Anything, place, or persons can effect a patients recovery; where the patient will go when discharged, their mental state upon discharge, will they be able to provide for themselves, are they able to continue back to work, perform normal activities of daily living, etc…
I’ve noticed, at certain times in the emergency room, when the working staff his calm and collective, the patients feel more calm. Helping our patients feel safe in their environment during and post care can truly make a positive difference. Overall, all of these theories are important to implement when addressing care to a patient, client, or the person laying in the hospital bed.
