Running head: NURSING PHILOSOPHY

Nursing Philosophy

Carina Victoria

Miami Dade College

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Nursing Philosophy

When deciding to pursue a career in nursing, being able to embody all the aspects of the

nursing metaparadigm is crucial to excelling. Regardless of the nursing discipline, being able to

understand the four domains is essential in providing optimal patient care. In the nursing

metaparadigm, the four domains are known as nursing, environment, health, and person. This

paper will discuss the four domains and how they relate to the philosophies of Miami Dade

College Benjamin Leon School of Nursing, Memorial Regional Hospital, and also my own

philosophy.

Defining the Four Domains

Nursing is defined as the ability to delivery optimal outcomes for a patient through a

mutual relationship in a safe, caring environment (Careertrend, 2018). Nursing applies multiple

principles to achieve the best results for patient health. Environment is defined as the

surroundings that affect the patient. The environment consists of internal and external influences

and contends that how a person continuously interacts with her surroundings has a bearing on

health and wellness (Careertrend, 2018). Modifying the environment could directly affect a

patient’s health status. Health is defined as a patient’s state of overall well-being and their access

to healthcare. Health is constantly in motion because it covers the person’s lifespan (Careertrend,

2018). Lastly, the person domain of the metaparadigm is defined as the receiver of care and how

all of their individual needs are being met (Careertrend, 2018). The person can also include other

people who are important to the patient, such as family.

Personal Definition of the Four Domains

I personally define nursing as the ability to deliver patients and others with the resources

needed to achieve their best health. The resources that nurses can provide can range anywhere
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from medical, educational, or supportive. I believe that environment could be a physical setting

or a problem that directly affects the patient, whether it is good or bad. Aside from providing

care, my goal as a nurse is to provide my patient a safe, trusting environment and helping to

assist with any external or internal elements that could be impacting my patient. I define health

as a state of well-being where physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual factors are all at levels

that are manageable for my patient’s current and long-term well-being. I define person as an

individual or patient who is one of a kind. The person is someone who will be given focused,

specific care that includes their personal values and beliefs. My personal nursing philosophy is

my belief that every person I care for and their well-being is unique and individualize to just

them. No matter how many times I may think I’ve seen a similar case, each patient must be

treated as exclusive as the first time. I find that my personal definition of the four domains fits

into my nursing philosophy because I want to be the best nurse I can be and always try to

provide my best care no matter the environment, the health, or the person that I am assisting.

Analysis of Two Institutional Philosophies

Miami Dade College Benjamin Leon School of Nursing’s philosophy is based on the

belief that nursing education should be accessible, affordable and of good quality, while also

keeping the learner at the center within this dynamic community (Miami Dade College, 2019).

Per the Student Handbook, the learner is engaged in a continuous process of gathering,

exchanging, synthesizing, and managing information. Memorial Regional Hospital’s philosophy

is based on providing patient- and family-centered care on the belief that healthcare services can

be improved by building more effective partnerships among healthcare providers, patients, and

families (Memorial Healthcare System, 2020). Centered care creates an environment that allows

patients to express their personal preferences and traditions, make their own choices about their
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care, and have access to all possible resources for their healthcare. Both of these philosophies

may be different, but the basis of their philosophies is similar in that they are aimed towards the

betterment of each population and treat their target population at the center of their philosophy.

Overall, Miami Dade College Benjamin Leon School of Nursing’s prime goal is to continuously

educate students to attain a career in nursing, while Memorial Regional Hospital’s prime goal is

to provide optimal patient- and family-centered care that best serves the needs of patients and

nurses.

Summary

Although Miami Dade College, Memorial Regional Hospital, and my own personal

philosophy may not be worded the same or have all the same goals, their mission in reality is not

too different. The philosophies all aim for a common cause: to provide educated, patient-

centered care. By being able to successfully fulfill all the four domains of nursing, a facility can

succeed in their philosophy. A nurse who is able to also embody the four domains in their own

philosophy, has the ability to continue to grow and learn to become an ideal nurse in their career.

Reflection

I learned from this assignment that in my future career as a nurse, it is my job is to

educate, care, and provide my patient with the appropriate needs for their wellbeing. Using both

philosophies from school and a facility I am interested in, it provides me with a form of

motivation to keep pushing towards my goals. I think that by having my personal nursing

philosophy and combining it with others, lays a base for continuing to gain nursing knowledge

and maintaining a compassionate attitude through the process.

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References:

Dupree, D. (2018, December 27). Four Basic Metaparadigm Concepts in Nursing. Retrieved

August 01, 2020, from https://careertrend.com/13373959/four-basic-metaparadigm-

concepts-in-nursing

Miami Dade College. (2019, October). RN-BSN student handbook. Page 6.

Retrieved from https://www.mdc.edu/Nursing/docs/BSN-Student-Handbook.pdf

Our Approach to Care. (n.d.). Retrieved August 01, 2020, from

https://www.mhs.net/about/approach