Historical Timelime

For centuries the development of nursing knowledge has been influenced by numerous theorists and their respective theories. These theories have influenced, and continue to influence, nursing education, practice and research. (Johnson & Webber, 2005)

I already knew that Nursing is a health care profession that involves taking care of another person in which a person needs the formal education and training in the art of science of nursing. Nurses help individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent diseases, and they care for the sick and injured using procedures based on

We all know Florence Nightingale as the “founding mother of modern nursing,” (Grand Canyon University, 2015). Current practice is ever-evolving, but one thing that hasn’t changed and will never change is our commitment to “maintaining the standard of our profession as registered nurses…and to practice [our] profession faithfully.” (Grand Canyon University, 2015). Evidenced-based practice will always include our undying commitment, as it is huge

My definition of nursing is that of someone who genuinely cares about the well-being of others and helps heal those who are ill. Nursing is both an art and a science because in order to understand a patients diagnosis you must know the pathophysiology and basic lab values. The science part of nursing allows us to make judgments on medication orders doctors prescribe, procedures, and practices. Art is also apart of nursing because as nurses we must have intuition, compassion, and warmth towards our patients. It is what allows us to therapeutically communicate with our patients. A person can have the science part, but not master the art and therefore, that person may be uncompassionate towards a patient. I have see nurses in clinical settings

A1. The nursing profession has evolved significantly over the decades. One of the factors that have greatly influenced these changes has been the involvement of nurses in the development of theories and data base needed to support the advancement of our profession. In the last half of the twentieth century, nurse researchers (1950s) and nurse theorists (1960s and 1970s) greatly contributed to the expanding body of nursing knowledge with their studies of nursing practice and the development of nursing models and theories (American Nurses Association, 2010, p. 16). Like in any other research activity, a special set of

In this 21st century, health care is advancing remarkably and achieving various results through research. Research is vital to bring about new inventions, techniques and improvements and create a new body of knowledge. In nursing, research helps to bring about improvements in current practice, knowledge, patient outcomes as well as to create new polices and upgrade the existing ones. For example, a “re-challenge protocol” was created by the researchers to reduce the drug reactions caused by two chemotherapeutic agents. Likewise, numerous research is conducted to improve scientific knowledge in various fields of science. One such knowledge in the field of science is the nursing knowledge.

The Scholarly Inquiry for Nursing Practice “focuses on issues relevant to improving nursing practice, education, and patient care. The articles strive to discuss knowledge development in its broadest sense, reflect research using a variety of methodological approaches, and combine several methods and strategies in a single study” (Bought, n.d., p. 1).

Kristen M. Swanson’s Caring Theory is the solution in bridging the gap between nursing practice and theory. It offers an explanation of the links between patient well-being and the caring process (Tonges & Ray, 2011). Swanson explained that nurses should be able to demonstrate that they care about their patients, and that caring about their wellbeing is as important as their patients’ current medical problem (Tonges & Ray, 2011).

In any practice of care, nurses must be able to provide care that is holistic and centred to the individual client. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), to care for a patient ‘holistically’ is to look beyond their illness or disability and care for them as individuals considering not just physical but also their mental, emotional and spiritual well-being (ref). Whilst, person-centred care is to deliver care moulded to the patients’ personal preferences, treating them with value and respect, ensuring that the care provided is appropriate for their needs (Goodrich and Cornwall, 2008).

Consequence The consequence to holism or integral care is improved health outcomes. “Health outcomes encompass a person’s functional status and overall well-being” (Morgan & Yoder, 2011). The importance of functional status is very individual to each person and patient. Additionally, health outcomes also include mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, not just the physical. Nurses who provide holistic care contribute to increasing the individual’s feelings of health and well-being, which in turn improves the person’s functional abilities.

Since its establishment as a profession more than a century ago, Nursing has been a source for numerous debates related to its course, methods and development of nursing knowledge. Many nursing definitions and theories have evolved over time. Furthermore it is in a constant process of being redefined.

Nursing theory is relatively new and as such, it continues to evolve as new knowledge is gained. There are numerous theories of nursing, each of which took years to develop and most of which continue to evolve and adapt. There are commonalities between and among the existing theories although each may focus more heavily on different aspects of responsibilities. It has to do with the philosophical foundations for each theory.

What do we know about nursing? To what extent do we understand nursing? How can we decide if we do “know” what nursing is? These are questions asked when we are developing knowledge about Nursing as both an Art and Science. Nursing gathers it generalized knowledge from experience with unique individuals from sources such as everyday non-scientific knowledge yet nursing always return to the individual for the application of its knowledge.

Nursing theory is essential to the profession as it specifies a construct for decisions and practice for the discipline of nursing. It distinguishes what shapes the foundation of practice by plainly illustrating

• Include the influences on nursing science of other disciplines, such as philosophy, religion, education, anthropology, the social sciences, and psychology.