All science is a form of art. A scientific mind requires looking at the present and manifesting into existence a vision using knowledge obtained from observation from the environment (Williams & Wilkins, 2011).  Science would not exist without art. Practicing a nursing career without the application of the artistic aspects of the profession, would significantly impact the care a nurse provides for a patient (Youngman, 2010).

      Webster’s dictionary defines art as the use of creativity to make things of inspired meaning (Merriam- Webster’s 1993). The foundation of nursing was based on the art of caring (Williams & Wilkins, 2011).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Caring in nursing is not a mere emotional connection with the patient. Caring in nursing is a therapeutic connection with the patient (Youngman, 2010). The therapeutic relationship assists the patient with healing. With technology expanding at an expediential rate, the art of nursing can be mislaid. The art of caring is what distinguishes nursing from other medical disciplines (Youngman, 2010). For nursing to establish itself as a profession it must remain true to the institutions it was built on (Williams & Wilkins, 2011).  

      One criterion for an occupation to be considered a profession is the ability of that career to serve society in an altruistic manner (Williams & Wilkins, 2011). Nurses serve society by helping patients find meaning in health challenges; confronted throughout the lifespan (Vance, 2001).  This requires each nurse to look beyond technology and put the art of caring to practice (Youngman, 2010).  If nursing is to be more than just a job, the artistic side must be practiced in order for it to become a profession (Williams & Wilkins, 2011).  

The Met paradigm of nursing generally is defined by the following 4 concepts person, environment, health, and nursing. Do you agree with this global representation of nursing why or why not?

     An area of the nursing discipline that would be of value to include in the met paradigm of nursing is spirituality. It is a general need by all human being to find meaning from suffering (Vance, 2001).  Nurses are with the patient through the life span. It would be beneficial to the discipline of nursing to examine the significance of spirituality in all aspects of care (Vance, 2001).

      The study of spirituality would meet the criteria of a met paradigm. The reason it would qualify to be a met paradigm is: it would be of value, of interest and has unique aspects that can only be applied to nursing (William & Wilkins, 2011). The study of spirituality could remain neutral, not reflecting cultural ethical beliefs and standards (William & Wilkins, 2011).

     Research by Diana Vance studies the association between a nurse’s attitude about spirituality beliefs and clinical outcomes in patients (Vance, 2001). Vance’s study is an example of how nursing research could be conducted in a non-bias manner (Vance, 2001).  In Vance inquiry into how nurse’s spiritual beliefs affect patient outcomes, it was validated that there is an association between spiritual care and positive clinical outcomes (Vance, 2001). Nurses providing spiritual care had patients with a better sense of wellbeing, better coping mechanism and decreased complication after surgery (Vance, 2001).  The research done by Vance demonstrates that the studies of spirituality can be approached in a non-bias scientific manner (Vance, 2001). Spirituality is a dimension of nursing practice that needs further investigation (Vance, 2001).

3) Up until now has nursing theory or philosophy been important to your own practice why or why not?

     For theory to be of any practical worth it must be understood (Williams & Wilkins, 2011).  At the start of my nursing career, the lectures on nursing theorist were my ideal of nursing. I was enamored by the great women in nursing history: Florence Night gale, Lydia Hall, Pat Brenner. In my early training I found a significant amount of the theory’s I was taught hard to understand and apply to my trade. Many of the theories and philosophies seemed an impossible standard to meet (Williams & Wilkins, 2011).  

       After reading chapter two I began to appreciate the significance of nursing theory and philosophy in my practice. The early principles were the foundation for the evidence biased practice. The early values and beliefs that bequeathed to me were solid groundwork to cultivate my own career and continue to grow and evolve the profession. Nursing theories and philosophy were established in a manner that they were able to mature with the profession (Williams & Wilkins, 2011).

Define:

Ontology- Ontology is the study of existence and the genuineness of the experience (Williams & Wilkins, 2011).

Extant- A perceived reality (Merriam- Webster’s 1993).

Epistemology- Epistemology is the study of knowledge and truth and the ability to recognize the association between the two (Williams & Wilkins, 2011).

Logical positivism – Science is without prejudice and uses fact-based methods to separate   scientist beliefs and worldviews. The purpose of science is to understand and control potential outcomes (Williams & Wilkins, 2011).

Post positivism – All knowledge is subject to questioning and scientific rigor. That all facts and understanding obtained by investigation can be influenced by the researcher’s values, beliefs and world views (Williams & Wilkins, 2011).

Received view – Understanding is gained by hearing and gathering knowledge (Williams & Wilkins, 2011).

Perceived view- Research done that is not in a controlled lab environment. The motivation of the research is the strict observations of the subjects in the experiment (Williams & Wilkins, 2011).

Paradigm- A paradigm is a type of research that reflects the ethics, hypothesis, standards, practices and theories at any specific time (Williams & Wilkins).

References

McEwen, M.,& Wilkins, E. (2011). Theoretical basis for nursing.
  
     Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York, London, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong,
  

     Sydney, Tokyo; Wolters Kluwer.

Vance D.L (2001). Nurses’ attitudes towards spirituality and patient care. MedSurg     

     Nursing 10(5),264.Retrieved from

     http;//search.proquest.com/docview/230520902?accountid=12085

(1993). The New webster’s dictionary.Danbury,CT.

Youngman, A. (2010). Creative nursing: art or science? British journal  of nursing.

     19 (14),939.