Philosophy and Theory in Apn Practice
Philosophy and Theory in APN Practice
Michelle Marroquin
McNeese State University
Introduction Nursing is a unique discipline that calls for a special type of person to give compassionate care. Nursing utilizes the nursing process of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation for the purpose of improving the patient’s health. As the nurse increases her experience and advances her education, the ideas of philosophy and applying theory to practice become more relevant. Philosophy of nursing is the application of beliefs to situations and guides the nurse in every day patient care (Alligood & Tomey, 2010). Butts and Rich (2011) state that philosophy is the “way one views the world” and “the viewpoint the nurse utilizes in every encounter with a patient, family, or group” (p. 3). Nursing theory is a tool for reasoning, thinking critically, and making decisions in nursing practice to provide quality care. “Nurses who use theory to structure their practice improve the quality of care as they sort patient data quickly, decide on the nursing action needed, and deliver care with an expectation of the outcome” (Alligood & Tomey, 2010, p. 13). While technical step by step processes and skills are important, we must attempt to understand why the process is important and how can we improve the way we do things. The following will be an exploration of my philosophy of nursing, how I obtained that philosophy, and the theory that has influenced me the most and that will guide me as an advanced nurse practitioner (APN).
Personal Philosophy My personal philosophy that will guide me as an advanced practice nurse involves the realms of the individual, environment, health, and nursing. The individual is the primary person being cared for. His or her physical, spiritual, emotional, and psychological needs are to be evaluated and cared for. The environment encompasses everything that comes into contact with the patient. This
Michelle Marroquin
McNeese State University
Introduction Nursing is a unique discipline that calls for a special type of person to give compassionate care. Nursing utilizes the nursing process of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation for the purpose of improving the patient’s health. As the nurse increases her experience and advances her education, the ideas of philosophy and applying theory to practice become more relevant. Philosophy of nursing is the application of beliefs to situations and guides the nurse in every day patient care (Alligood & Tomey, 2010). Butts and Rich (2011) state that philosophy is the “way one views the world” and “the viewpoint the nurse utilizes in every encounter with a patient, family, or group” (p. 3). Nursing theory is a tool for reasoning, thinking critically, and making decisions in nursing practice to provide quality care. “Nurses who use theory to structure their practice improve the quality of care as they sort patient data quickly, decide on the nursing action needed, and deliver care with an expectation of the outcome” (Alligood & Tomey, 2010, p. 13). While technical step by step processes and skills are important, we must attempt to understand why the process is important and how can we improve the way we do things. The following will be an exploration of my philosophy of nursing, how I obtained that philosophy, and the theory that has influenced me the most and that will guide me as an advanced nurse practitioner (APN).
Personal Philosophy My personal philosophy that will guide me as an advanced practice nurse involves the realms of the individual, environment, health, and nursing. The individual is the primary person being cared for. His or her physical, spiritual, emotional, and psychological needs are to be evaluated and cared for. The environment encompasses everything that comes into contact with the patient. This
References: Alligood, M. R. & Tomey, A. M. (2010). Nursing theorists and their work (7th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Elsevier. Butts, J. B. & Rich, K. L. (2011). Philosophies and theories for advanced nursing practice. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning Moorman, S. (2010). Surviving life-threatening illness: Keys to optimal nursing care. Journal of Christian Nursing, 27 (1), 18-24 Sumner, J. F. (2004). Caring--The foundation of advanced practice nursing. Topics in Advanced Practice Nursing eJournal, 4 (4)