Qep Paper Leadership
Qep Paper Leadership
Qep Paper Leadership
Nursing Philosophy
The Nursing Metaparadigm is a set of concepts and theories that provide the structure of
nursing discipline. These are centered around person, environment, health, and nursing. These
focus on the quality and wellness of patients. These domains overlap with each other and
together define the conditions and address the patient as a whole. Throughout this paper, I will
further elaborate on these domains, on their approach by different theorists, and on my own
interpretation of them. I will then compare the philosophies of Miami Dade College’s Benjamin
The four domains of the Nursing Metaparadigm include person, environment, health, and
nursing. The domain of the person is centered around the patient. This domain elaborates on the
aspects of the patient’s life. These include spirituality, culture, family, and friends. Furthermore,
the domain of the environment focuses on both internal and external aspects around the patient.
Mainly, it describes on how the patient interacts with their surroundings and how these
surroundings affect the patient. Moreover, the domain of health refers to the patient’s well-being.
Furthermore, this also includes factors that may influence the patient’s well-being, such as the
patient’s access to health care. Finally, the fourth domain is nursing. This domain focuses on the
person providing the care for the patient. It encompasses on how the nurse will use their
competencies and attributes in the care of the patient (Alligood,2018). Many nursing theorists
have developed their own approaches to these concepts that would further define the approach to
nursing care.
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Margaret Jean Harman Watson was an American nurse and theorist that began practicing
as a nurse during the 1960s. Watson obtained a master’s degree in Psychiatric-Mental Health
Nursing and a doctorate degree in Education Psychology and Counseling. Watson’s approach to
health focused on much more than just curing illnesses. Furthermore, she describes healing in a
holistic manner, approaching the patient’s body, mind, and soul as one. Watson defines health as
“unity and harmony within the mind, body, and soul” (Alligood,2018). Furthermore, she
believed that a caring environment played a role in the patient’s ability to heal.
Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, was an Italian nurse that began
practicing in the year 1851. Her theory focused on the environment, using the term surroundings
in her writing. Furthermore, she believed that the surroundings were essential to providing
nursing care and maintaining health (Alligood,2018). In her writings, the nurses performed tasks
and were in control of the patient’s environment. This was done with the intent to improve
recovery. Nightingale, believed the environmental factors that influenced a patient’s healing
were ventilation, warmth, quiet, diet, and cleanliness. (Alligood,2018) Today, these concepts
The four domains can be viewed from different perspectives that result in a different
manner of approach to patient care. I believe the person should be viewed as mind, body, and
soul. These are uniquely important in their own way but should be viewed as part of a whole. I
define health as a spectrum of quality of life. Physical and mental circumstances can have a
negative impact on functionality, comfort, and happiness. Therefore, conditions such as illnesses
and situations that impact mental health can decrease quality of life. Moreover, the person and
the environment are in constant interaction. Therefore, the environment is part of the
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circumstances that impact quality of life. Finally, I believe nurses should function within their
competency and scope of practice in a manner that maximizes positive outcomes that improve
quality of life.
Miami Dade College believes that environments are constantly changing, and patient
health states are dynamic. They have a focus on developing and creating nurses that can provide
care in a variety of healthcare settings. Their discipline focuses on providing a safe and effective
care environment. Furthermore, they believe that nursing education should prepare students to
assess, plan and act on changes based on patient and community needs. (Miami Dade College
[MDC], 2019) Jackson Hospital believes in nursing as a discipline that incorporates knowledge,
critical thinking, and caring. They believe the nurse-patient relationship is based on respect and
care, recognizing their patient’s individual values, disabilities, sexual orientation, nationality,
religion, and cultural beliefs. Their level of care is guided by a single high standard ensuring
safe, culturally competent, and patient focused care. Both Miami Dade College and Jackson
Health Hospital emphasize on the importance on the delivery of safe patient care. However,
Miami Dade College focuses on creating new nurses and Jackson Health focuses on maximizing
Summary
Safety, respect, and genuine care are crucial to the delivery of nursing care. These
concepts promote physical and mental well-being. Furthermore, focusing on these principals
when providing nursing care will minimize negative outcomes and promote positive outcomes. I
believe that having this mindset may improve the quality of life of patients. Therefore,
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institutions should continue to focus on developing safe, competent, respectful, and caring nurses
Reflection
The four domains of nursing demonstrate that patient care encompasses more than just
curing a patient. Nurses should be equipped with the knowledge necessary to assist the patient in
a complete form of care. I believe nurses should pay as much attention to external factors as to
internal factors when providing care. Nursing care should tend to both mental and physical
health equally. Furthermore, the patient and environment are constantly interacting, and these
circumstances should always be included in patient planning and outcomes. This philosophy will
References
Miami Dade College. (n.d.) Associate of Science in Nursing Student Handbook 2019
https://www.mdc.edu/nursing/docs/ASN-Student-Handbook.pdf