Present a philosophy of nursing practice that draws on your experience
PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING PRACTICE
For this first course Discussion, you will present a philosophy of nursing practice that draws on your experience, area(s) of expertise, and beliefs. Looking ahead to your role as a DNP, also consider how to expand your awareness of issues beyond your own current practice—such as regarding diversity, global health, collaboration—and how to fulfill the Walden requirement to advocate for social change.
In short, begin now to commit to a higher level of contribution and practice as a DNP and to reflect that commitment in your philosophy of nursing practice for today and the future. As you continue through the course, note this image will appear with each Discussion and indicates an opportunity to connect your thinking with that of colleagues, for learning with and from one another.
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
• McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2019). Theoretical basis for nursing (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
o Chapter 1, “Philosophy, Science, and Nursing Download Philosophy, Science, and Nursing” (pp. 2–22) [PDF]
Theoretical Basis for Nursing, 5th Edition by McEwen, M.; Wills, E. Copyright 2019 by Wolters Kluwer. Reprinted by permission of Wolters Kluwer via the Copyright Clearance Center. Licensed in 2020.
o Chapter 2, “Overview of Theory in Nursing Download Overview of Theory in Nursing” (pp. 23–48) [PDF]
Theoretical Basis for Nursing, 5th Edition by McEwen, M.; Wills, E. Copyright 2019 by Wolters Kluwer. Reprinted by permission of Wolters Kluwer via the Copyright Clearance Center. Licensed in 2020.
• Document: Handout: Writing a Philosophy of Nursing Practice (Word document)
• Review the Week 1 Learning Resources. Pay particular attention to the Chapter 1 reading from McEwen and Wills, “Philosophy, Science, and Nursing.”
• Reflect on your nursing experience, expertise you have developed, and beliefs about nursing and nursing practice you have formed as a result.
• Consider how your philosophy of nursing practice is shaped by these elements.
• Consider goals for expanding your professional awareness through the DNP program and the requirement as a Walden student to be an advocate for social change. How can your philosophy of nursing practice support you in these areas? How can these goals and Walden social change requirement enrich your philosophy of nursing practice?
With these thoughts in mind …
NURS 8114: Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Nursing
Writing a Philosophy of Nursing Practice
Your philosophy should articulate your mission and beliefs and include your role as an advocate of social change.
As you prepare your written philosophy, research and reflect to clarify your mission and beliefs within the broad realm of nursing. Consider these perspectives:
• Nursing is a practice discipline that integrates knowledge from a nursing perspective. Nursing is concerned with the laws and principles that govern the life processes, well-being, and optimal functioning of human beings; the human behavioral responses to disease; and the processes by which positive health status is affected. (Donaldson & Crowley, 1978) (AACN DNP Essential I)
• “There is a need for nurses at all levels of preparation to articulate with clarity the nature of nursing knowledge and what nurses contribute to health in all realms—individual, family, local, community and global” (Rogers, 2018, p. 21).
In developing your philosophy of nursing practice, or refining your existing philosophy, focus on how your philosophy will reflect your expanded awareness of practice issues as a DNP.
As a DNP-prepared nurse, your nursing practice also encompasses essential responsibilities. Consider how these fundamental requirements of a DNP will influence the mission and beliefs that you articulate within a philosophy of nursing practice:
o Assume leadership roles to represent the discipline and profession of nursing and to discuss the expertise and advanced knowledge needed by those who practice nursing at the doctoral level.
o Collaborate with researchers in a multidisciplinary approach to identify needs for research and innovations that add to the knowledge base of nursing.
o Implement new knowledge for the improvement of healthcare access and delivery by translating evidence into practice.
Ultimately, each nurse must identify what underlies their practice by answering three questions (Widenbach, 1970):
§ What needs to be accomplished?
§ How will it be accomplished?
§ In which context will it be done?
Keep these questions in mind and how you answer each, at this specific time or looking further ahead in your career, in crafting your written philosophy of nursing practice as a DNP.
References
Note: In considering the nature of nursing, the older resources in this list are seminal.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. AACN.
Donaldson, S. K., & Crowley, D. M. (1978). The discipline of nursing. Nursing Outlook, 26(2), 113–120.
Rogers, B. L. (2018). The evolution of nursing science. In J. B Butts & K. L. Rich (Eds.), Philosophies and theories for advanced nursing practice (p. 21). Jones & Bartlett.
Widenbach, E. (1970). Nurses’ wisdom in nursing theory. American Journal of Nursing, 70(3), 1057–1062.
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