Introduction
The development of a personal philosophy of advanced practice nursing requires a thoughtful reflection on the concepts and values that guide the practice of nursing. Advanced practice nursing is a dynamic and complex field that requires a strong foundation in the nursing metaparadigm concepts of person, nursing, health, and environment. In addition, the IOM Future of Nursing report and other concepts such as accountability, interprofessional collaborative practice, social justice, and professionalism play important roles in shaping my philosophy of advanced practice nursing.
Metaparadigm Concepts
Person/Client: The person is the center of the nursing practice, and nursing care is individualized to meet the unique needs and preferences of the person. The person is viewed as a holistic being, encompassing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions. The client is an active participant in his/her care, and the nurse’s role is to empower the person to make informed decisions and achieve optimal health outcomes.
Nursing: Nursing is both an art and a science that is grounded in a holistic perspective. It is a caring profession that emphasizes the human-to-human connection between the nurse and the person. The goal of nursing is to promote health, prevent illness, and alleviate suffering by utilizing evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and therapeutic communication.
Health: Health is a dynamic state of well-being that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. It is a personal and subjective concept that is influenced by individual, social, and environmental factors. The nurse’s role is to promote health, prevent illness, and manage disease in collaboration with the person and the interprofessional team.
Environment: The environment refers to the physical, social, cultural, and economic context in which the person lives. It has a significant impact on the person’s health and well-being, and it is the nurse’s role to assess and address environmental factors that affect the person’s health outcomes.
Additional Concepts
Accountability: Accountability is the obligation of the advanced practice nurse to provide safe, high-quality, and evidence-based care to the person. It requires transparency, honesty, and responsibility for one’s actions and decisions. The advanced practice nurse is accountable to the person, the interprofessional team, the profession, and society.
Interprofessional Collaborative Practice: Interprofessional collaborative practice involves the active engagement of healthcare professionals from different disciplines to optimize health outcomes for the person. It requires effective communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making among team members. The advanced practice nurse is a key member of the interprofessional team and plays a critical role in coordinating and managing care.
Social Justice: Social justice is the promotion of fairness, equity, and respect for all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. The advanced practice nurse has a responsibility to advocate for the person’s rights and needs and address social determinants of health that contribute to health disparities.
Professionalism: Professionalism is the demonstration of competence, integrity, and ethical behavior in the practice of nursing. It involves continuous learning, self-reflection, and commitment to the advancement of the profession. The advanced practice nurse is a role model for the nursing profession and is responsible for upholding its values and standards.
Interrelationships between and among concepts
The nursing metaparadigm concepts of person, nursing, health, and environment are interconnected and interdependent. The person is viewed as a holistic being, and the nurse’s role is to promote health, prevent illness, and alleviate suffering by utilizing evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and therapeutic communication. The environment has a significant impact on the person’s health and well-being, and the nurse’s role is to assess and address environmental factors that affect the person’s health outcomes.