In the previous unit we discussed concepts and theories in nursing that can help develop your personal philosophy of nursing. In this unit, we will continue to increase your knowledge and focus on building your personal philosophy of nursing.
The term, nursing philosophy, is essentially “an approach to nursing, usually created by individual nurses in their own daily practice in the field. A nurse uses his or her philosophy of nursing to explain what he or she believes nursing is, the role nursing plays in the health care field, and how he or she interacts with patients” (Petiprin, 2020, par 3). A nursing philosophy encompasses what we do every day. This unit will help you to examine how nursing philosophies challenge and influence your nursing practice.
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to perform the following activities:
Philosophies are broad ideas that guide thinking. It is useful to consider a range of philosophical ideologies before you get into the details of developing your personal philosophy of nursing.
To start, take some time to review the basics of western, eastern, and Indigenous ways of knowing. This review will help you consider the influences in your background and to understand your own values and beliefs in greater depth. Begin by reflecting on the philosophical bases of your background. Search the web for varied philosophical viewpoints that do, and do not, resonate with you. Start by watching the short videos below.
Watch Eastern Philosophy vs. Western Philosophy (2016)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu3oIVuvbJg
Watch Western World View vs. Indigenous World View (2014, May 7)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsh-NcZyuiI
This activity can be one of your submissions in Assignment 3.
The philosophical and theoretical world of nursing is often in flux. How we view these changes when using our nursing lens may not always align with the literature or with others’ views. Though it can be difficult to articulate why we do what we do, as we evolve as professionals, it is important to understand what guides our thinking and actions.
Begin by watching the following short video, and then thinking about what philosophy means and what knowledge is.
Watch What is Philosophy?
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=pbs+crash+course+philosophy&docid=608052547541686495&mid=A51CC29A7B61DCFDCDCEA51CC29A7B61DCFDCDCE&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
Read Rethinking Carper's Personal Knowing for 21st Century Nursing. (2020).
https://doi.org/10.1111/nup.12307
Consider the following questions to guide your self-reflection:
Choose one or two of the questions above and write a one-page response that summarizes your views.
Summarize your responses in one page, and save your work if you choose to include it as one of your submissions for Assignment 3.
This activity can be one of your submissions in Assignment 3
Standards for nursing practice are developed by each provincial and territorial regulatory body. Within these standards are statements about the nature and philosophy of nursing.
Review the standards of practice from Alberta here: https://nurses.ab.ca/docs/default-source/document-library/standards/practice-standards-for-regulated-members.pdf?sfvrsn=d4893bb4_16.
Locate the standards for practice of registered nurses from another province or territory.
Reflect on the following questions:
Compare and contrast the standards of practice articulated by regulatory bodies from Alberta and one other province. What are the main similarities and differences?
Write a one-page summary outlining the differences and similarities between the provincial standards you chose.
Summarize your responses in one page, and save your work if you choose to include it as one of your submissions for Assignment 3.
Consider the learning resources in this unit thus far. Write responses to the following questions:
Save your work: The answers to these questions will guide your work in Assignment 4
Chinn, P. (2018, August 23). Peace & power. Nursology. https://nursology.net/nurse-theorists-and-their-work/peace-power/
College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (2013). Practice standards for regulated members. https://nurses.ab.ca/docs/default-source/document-library/standards/practice-standards-for-regulated-members.pdf?sfvrsn=d4893bb4_16
Crash Course in Philosophy. (2016, February 8). What is Philosophy? Bing. [Video] https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=pbs+crash+course+philosophy&docid=608052547541686495&mid=A51CC29A7B61DCFDCDCEA51CC29A7B61DCFDCDCE&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
Petiprin, A. (2020). Nursing theories and a philosophy of nursing. Nursing Theory. https://nursing-theory.org/articles/nursing-theories-and-a-philosophy-of-nursing.php
The Self-Made Nerd. (2016, June 3). Eastern philosophy vs western philosophy. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu3oIVuvbJg
Thorne, S. (2020, May). Rethinking Carper’s personal knowing for the 21st century nursing. Nursing Philosophy, 21(4), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/nup.12307
Western world view vs. Indigenous world view. (2014, May 7). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsh-NcZyuiI
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