Philosophy of Nursing
According to the generally accepted definition, philosophy is a form of spiritual activity aimed at posing, analyzing and solving worldview issues related to the formation of a holistic view of the world and the place of a person in it (“Philosophy”). This is a specific type of thinking, an emotional mood, a worldview system. The philosophy of medicine began to form in ancient world and has developed since then a lot. The connection between practical medicine and philosophy has been established in the minds of people. Nowadays it is essential for medicine workers to have an understanding thereof and to apply philosophy in their day-to-day work.
The modern philosophy of medicine is guided by the criterion of the value of human life. The role of this philosophy is that it determines the general ideas of medicine, which are pivotal not only in the field of medical and philosophical problems, but also in the life of human being in general. The system of values, which is the subject of philosophical reflection, acts as a factor of the influence of philosophy on medical and biological sciences and practical public health. It is the basis for performing therapeutic manipulations and the patient's belief in his recovery, becoming a spiritual element of the therapeutic effect. Therefore, philosophy of nursing accepted by a nurse is a necessary foundation and integral part of a successful nursing practice. This paper will provide my view on the issue of nursing philosophy and my understanding of its role in the nursing practice.
Methods
During the research and writing of this paper the interpretative group of methods has been used in order to focus on understanding of the phenomenon of nursing philosophy and its impact on nursing practice. Interpretative methods allowed to recognize my personal connection as a nurse to the philosophy of nursing and also to interpret nursing philosophy as it is. At some point of the research the method of experiment was also used in order to understand the actual influence of certain philosophy on the practice of a nurse.
Results
Personal nursing philosophy was proved to be a cornerstone of nursing practice. My nursing philosophy has an emphasis on mutual understanding of a nurse and a patient, the priority of a client’s well-being over personal interests of a nurse during nursing. The mission of a nurse can be expressed in such a way: it is a vocation of a nurse to take the best care possible of patients. Therefore, my personal nursing philosophy appeared to be closely connected with the Interpersonal theory of nursing by Hildegard Peplau. The cornerstone of this theory is establishment of understanding, mutual trust and partnership relations between a nurse and a patient through interpersonal communication. In my nursing practice the principles of this theory are the guidelines for my effective work.
Discussion
Summary of Personal Philosophy of Nursing
The necessity of development and understanding of nursing philosophy is often being neglected by nurses in their education and professional activity, and they are fully aware of this …
