Question

Wiedenbach emphasized that the nurse’s goals are grounded in the nurse’s philosophy, or “those beliefs and values that shape one’s attitude toward life, toward fellow human beings, and toward herself.” Discuss each of the following philosophic considerations that are relevant for nursing practice:

a. What is the nature of human beings?

b. What is the nature of nursing?

c. What is the focus of nursing?

Hall’s identified the care, cure and core model of nursing in the 1960’s. Considering the changes that have occurred in nursing practice over the last 50 years, discuss ways Hall’s model continues to remain relevant to current practice and the ways that it may be challenged by today’s practice

Answer 1

Human nature:

Human nature includes the core characteristics (feelings, psychology, behaviors) shared by all people. We all have different experiences of the humans in our life, and this is where the disputes begin. Philosophers and scholars tend to talk human nature based on major schools of thought from human history. Some people will tell you humans are 'good' or 'bad', or 'predators' or 'capable of great kindness.

The term “Sociology” in broad context refers to study of social life or society. It is concerned with predicting and deciphering the behavior of society and human elements. To predict social nature of humans one needs to have a profound understanding of the nature of human and its social behavior. This understanding is critical to characterize the human nature and thus assist the society in predicting the social behavior.

Human beings are inherently selfish, and this selfishness means that their affections can be won or lost. They are happy so long as they aren't oppressed, and while they can be trusted in prosperous times, adversity makes them selfish, deceitful, and profit driven. Although honor, generosity, courage, and piety are admired in others, most people generally do not have these virtues themselves. Although ambition occurs here and there, most people are satisfied with the status quo and will not naturally try to improve their own situation.

Nature of nursing:

Community/Public health nursing practice promotes wellness and prevents illness through education and health teachings. It also provides comfort through delicate nursing interventions and it peculiarly involves not only the patient but by extending through the whole family and community. The nature or characteristics of Community/Public health nursing are particularly salient and are mentioned as follows:

It emphasizes wellness

It combines public health and nursing

It involves disciplinary collaboration

Promotes patient's or client's care and responsibility

It is focused on population

Focus of nursing:

The practice of nursing mainly focused on specialized knowledge, skill, and independent decision making. Nursing careers take widely divergent paths; practice focus varies by setting, by type of client, by different disease, therapeutic approach or level of rehabilitation.

1. To promote the nursing practice based on evidence

2. To ensure the credibility of the profession

3. It helps to document the cost effectiveness of the nursing care.

4. It provides accountability for nursing practice.