Metaparadigm In Nursing

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)

Metaparadigm identifies the phenomena of central interest to a nursing discipline. It is made up of concepts and propositions that define discipline that are extremely abstract. It fails to provide a definite direction for activities like nursing practice and research. Its main function is to identify the basic subject matter of the discipline which are defined by Fawcett (2005) as human beings, environment,

The nursing metaparadigm concepts described by Fawcett (as cited in McEwen & Willis, 2011), are a primary phenomena of interest to a discipline, which identifies globally by ways in which, nursing can deal with those phenomena in a distinctive and applicable manner. The functional aspects of the meta-paradigm according to Kim (as cited in McEwen & Willis, 2011), involve a combination of intellectual and

Nursing got defined according to the meta-paradigm for its ability to develop and sustain a connection and concern, which gets exhibited through the existence of a strong relationship between the patients and the nurses. According to Masters, (206), nursing gets views as the nature of care and the research into the illness, health and disease, and the relationship between the three aspects of a patient’s body. In my position as a Registered Nurse, we engaged in various missions aimed at checking the wellness of patients and the sustainable healthcare of the patients.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss my personal beliefs pertaining to the profession of nursing. As well I will discuss the (4) metaparadigms in nursing which are known as; human beings, environment, health, and nursing, and my personal beliefs on these concepts and how they have similarities to the nursing philosophy of a nursing theorist.

A metaparadigms in nursing carefully act like a solid spine that support as a base rock the nursing field. The four essentials components of metaparadigms in nursing are the person, the environment, the patient’s health status and the nursing practice. A nurse practitioner will use all this concepts to assist in advance critical thinking skills by assessing the needs of individual and families while developing a quality cost-effective health promotion and illness prevention care plans.

Nursing theory is assumed as the body of information, which is used to assist the nursing practice. Nursing models are created with theories and perceptions. They are used to assist nurses assess, plan and implement patient care by delivering an outline within which to work. Nursing models also assist the nurses to accomplish consistency and unified care. This presentation shall examine the importance of Dr. Jean Watson’s theory of caring in today’s nursing practice, its relation to metaparagidm concepts and how the theory help us to improve the current nursing practices.

Some researchers have suggested that other concepts should be added to the nursing metaparadigm. For

According to Pepau the goal of nursing is to help the patient find their felt problem. The nurse and patient work together therefore they develop relationship between each other’s. These two individuals with common aim have interpersonal relation. Nursing is therapeutic in that it is a healing art, assisting an individual who is sick or in need of health care ( Pepau 1952). Nurse plays several roles in this relationship. As a resource person, nurse gives adequate information that help patient understanding of issues. As a counselor: a nurse helps patient to incorporate the sense of current life change event, and provides advice for change. Nurse plays role of leader by making sure patient undertakes maximum engagement to achieve treatment goals.

The importance of nursing theory to practice of nursing should not be overlooked or underrated. That is because, it’s understanding and application are essential in enhancing patient 's care, improving communication between nurses, providing education’ and guidance in research, (Robert T. Croyle (2005). It is equally important to know that currently, there are many theories that guide the practice of nursing. Two of the most prominent ones will be compared and will form the subject of this this discussion.

Masters (2012) described that philosophies “set forth the general meaning of nursing and nursing phenomena through reasoning and the logical presentation of ideas” (p. 49). The mind-map provided presents the personal philosophy of this author’s nursing practice in relation to the four concepts of the metaparadigm of nursing. The compatibility of this author’s personal philosophy with existing

Throughout the history of nursing, there have been many nursing theorists who have each made significant contributions towards the shaping of nursing knowledge. Each of these theorists have differing perspectives and interpretations of how each domain of the nursing metaparadigm fit into their respective theories. The four domains of the nursing metaparadigm are: person, environment, health and illness, and nursing. The purpose of this reflection is to provide an overview of the domains related to the metaparadigm of nursing as well as to introduce this author’s perspective on their developing personal philosophy of nursing. In this paper, the author will take a closer look at each of these areas, how they are individually defined, and how they each fit into the nursing metaparadigm as a whole. At the conclusion of this overview, readers will be introduced to how these theorists and their perspectives have enabled this author to begin to create their own philosophy of nursing.

The metaparadigm has four central concepts to the discipline of nursing and they are interrelated although they have different meanings. They are:

Each professional discipline has a responsibility to identify concepts that provide a general description of this discipline. These concepts are named as the profession’s or concept’s metaparadigm (Fawcett, 1994). The Metaparadigm for nursing is the framework for the discipline that sets the phenomena of interest, propositions and the method of discipline. Metapardigm is very general and is intended to reflect the agreement of discipline member about the field of nursing (Marilyne Parker,2001).

Theory is a cluster of concept or ideas that propose a view concerning a phenomenon to guide nursing practice (Chitty, 2005). The four concepts basic to nursing that are incorporated in this paper are nursing, person, health, and environment (Cherry & Jacob, 2005). The goal of this paper is to describe the core concept of nursing shared amongst Dorothea Orem and Virginia Henderson’s theories. The comparison and analysis of concept definitions between these two theories will also examined. Finally Henderson’s theory of concept statement, metaparadigm and her philosophy will be explored.