Personal Nursing Philosophy, Part 2
Nursing philosophy is critical in guiding nurses’ practice since they inform them about the basics and specifications needed to provide care. Nursing philosophies also help in shaping nursing beliefs, ethics, and values concerning treatment and care of patients. The second part of my nursing philosophy will reflect on the progress made so far concerning my choice of practising nursing as well as my beliefs and values. By choosing to integrate Kolcaba’s comfort theory and Roy’s adaptation model, I have been able to improve my nursing practice and provide care to a diverse population and improve their outcomes.
The nursing paradigm, according to Kolcaba’s comfort theory, nurses should incorporate giving adequate comfort and care to patients to improve their outcomes and hospital’s satisfactory rating as well. Roy’s adaptation model, on the other hand, has enabled me provide adequate adaptive abilities to patients as they strive to improve their health statuses. I have managed to provide more comfort to patients, especially those in pain through the use of appropriate medications like opioids.
Several ideas concerning Kolcaba’s comfort theory have challenged my nursing practice, especially the use of pain-relieving medications to enhance the comfort of patients. I have been particularly concerned about the use of opioids in alleviating pain since they are likely to cause overdependence and addiction if not administered appropriately. I would, however, prefer the use of an alternative medication which has fewer effects to the consumers but produce adequate results and reliable outcomes.
Kolcaba’s comfort theory caused me personal conflict concerning giving end of life care. Patients receiving end of life care need pain relievers the most for the respect of human dignity as well as improving their quality of life (Kolcaba, 2015). However, my beliefs tend to support the idea of ending life in advance, rather than relieving pain, especially if the patients have a chronic condition that cannot be relieved. I believe more experience as a nurse can be critical in improving my decision-making capabilities and interventions in giving care to critically ill patients.
I have engaged in effective communication and collaboration with other healthcare professionals as an illustration of my nursing philosophy. I have also managed to recognize the impact of the environment in and self in the development and behavior of people. I also used several medications, including opioids, while giving care to patients with pain. Both nursing theories have been effective in improving my practice, and their integration into practice has been effective and beneficial.
From the choice of nursing philosophies, I can describe the person component of nursing metaparadigm one which calls for patient-centered care since pain management works to improve the outcomes and experiences of patients receiving care. The environment concept can be defined as the circumstances, and conditions that surround and affect the behavior and development of individual and groups, with specific consideration of the mutual relationship between person and health factors (Boudiab & Kolcaba, 2015). My first written nursing philosophy has not changed that much since I still employ the practices and measures discussed before. I have, however, improved my perceptions in collaboration and communication in giving care through more experience and knowledge in proper listening and communication techniques.
Conclusion
My nursing philosophy was more inclined towards Kolcaba’s comfort theory and Roy’s adaptation model since they are vital in improving the quality of care given to patients. The theories have been useful in improving my nursing practice since I was able to integrate my knowledge and skills in relieving pain thanks to Kolcaba’s comfort theory. I have also witnessed improved outcomes among my patients since thanks to the implementation of appropriate nursing theories into practice.
References
Boudiab, L. D., & Kolcaba, K. (2015). Comfort Theory. Advances in Nursing Science, 38(4), 270-278.
Kolcaba, K. (2015). Katherine Kolcaba’s comfort theory. Nursing theories and nursing practice, 381-392.