Philosophy Of Shalom Based Nursing

Many things influence one’s personal perceptions of the great profession called nursing. According to the American Nurses Association, nursing is defined as “protection, promotion, and abilities, prevention of illness and injury,

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 personally define nursing as aiding in the recovery and survival of another person using the specialized knowledge, ability, and critical thinking skills attained through study and experience. The word nurse translates in Latin to nourish. This Latin translation reveals that nurses nourish when a person is in need. Angelo Gonzalo (2011) states, “Nursing is an art through which the practitioner of nursing gives specialized assistance to persons with disabilities which makes more than ordinary assistance necessary to meet needs for self-care” (Major Concepts section, para. 1). Nursing requires a diligent and hardy person to be able to assess the situation, access the appropriate knowledge and skills, and accordingly provide the care a person needs.

I knew there are multiple nursing theories from previous discussion. However, I did not realize there were so many that I would be interested in. Some were much more philosophical than I was comfortable with, yet others captivated me. For the purpose of this assignment, I decided to look more closely at the Theory of the Nurse as Wounded Healer by Dr. Marion Conti-O’Hare. The notion of a wounded healer originated with Greek mythology but was coined by psychologist, Dr. Carl Jung in 1951(Daneault, 2008). Dr. Jung believed that “the disease of the soul could be the best possible form of training for a healer” and that “only a wounded [healer] could heal effectively” (Daneault, 2008). Dr. Conti-O’Hare’s theory assumes nine concepts. A few included the following:

Shelly, J., & Miller, A. (2006). Called to care a Christian worldview for nursing (2nd ed.).

A nurse is so much more than someone who administers medication, performs physical examinations, and establishes treatment plans. Nurses do not just listen to their patients needs, they advocate for them. They do not just take care of the suffering and ill, they have empathy for them. They do not just treat injuries and wounds, they heal the mind body and spirit. Being a nurse is not just a job title, it is an identity. It involves many core concepts and incorporates many values and beliefs. Being a nurse includes the concepts professionalism and patient and family - centered care. Both in which relate to the Benedictine values of the College of St. Scholastica.

Nursing is based on caring in nursing. Compassion and concern for protecting and enhancing the

The medical field of nursing is based on servitude in God’s mission and through the means of compassion. Our missional goals must align with God’s (Wright, 2012). Nursing consists of care and compassion for the disadvantaged, weak, sick, and injured. This is in addition to the pursuit of high standards in professionalism, articulated in the delivery of a valuable service that is based on unique knowledge and experience, performed ethically, and practiced autonomously. The major characteristic of compassion is from God and how it relates to this world of professionalism is seen through nursing. Any job that advances God’s work in the world is a Godly choice (Col. 1:16-20).

The pervasive influence of scientific empiricism and Darwinism, “inevitably resulted in the establishment of the idea that the final reality is impersonal matter or energy being shaped into its present form by impersonal chance” (Schaeffer, 1981, p. 18). This change in worldview caused the removal of one of the basic foundations of nursing, the Bible. Throughout the Gospels we see that the ultimate purpose for physical healing was to restore people to a vital relationship with God and the community” (Shelly and Miller, 2006, p.24). Being able to demonstrate the value of this goal for today’s nurse is another important reason for me to understand nursing theory and history and how it applies to my philosophy of nursing.

According to the American Nurses Association, “Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations” (ANA, 2010b). Nursing has come a long ways. From primitive times when caring for the sick was predominantly the rule of medicine-men who acquired the skills from their ancestors, to the era when it was viewed as a mean profession for prostitutes and nowadays when it is considered a noble profession with trained and skilled personnel.

ANA defines nursing as “The protection promotion and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury alleviation of suffering of human response, and advocacy in the care of individual, families, communities and population” (ANA, 2013).

As a nurse you have to care about the patient, their health, using holistic care, and the environment. The patient is the person that comes to you for health care due to them being ill or wanting information on how to improve their health. Patients are the nurse’s main priority and their goal is to make the person feel great again. To do this, nurses care about their health and well-being. Health is your body working at it’s greatest potential. You can obtain good health by taking care of your body, eating well, exercising, and practicing a healthy lifestyle. While caring

Nursing is a unique profession. This profession requires a specific type of person. This person must be intelligent, caring, selfless, strong, sincere, and empathetic, among other characteristics. Nursing turns into a way of life for people whose profession it is. A nurses main job is to be a patient advocate. All of the education and skills that nurses go through is all to provide the best care in relation to what is best for the patient. The essence of nursing is providing and advocating for the best and most holistic care for the patient. Nursing is a way to devote my life to helping others in the best way possible and be for them during the most difficult time in their

Nursing is a universal career which breaches countries, cultures, and age. Nursing involves not only head knowledge but also heart knowledge for every nurse to be the best she can be. During this course the word shalom has not only been introduced to my vocabulary but I have come to know and love the word. As I continue to develop my thoughts about nursing the more I see that shalom needs to be a part of my nursing philosophy. Giving shalom is part of how I love my patients and grow to become the best nurse I can.

Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.