The order of the pillars and the terms of each one varies, but they all have the essence of clinical practice, education, research and leadership. By recognizing the importance of the person, the environment, health, and nursing, nurses can provide holistic, patient-centered care that addresses the unique needs of each individual. The nursing metaparadigm encompasses four fundamental concepts, namely, the person, the environment, health and nursing. These concepts serve as fundamental pillars of nursing practice.
Every patient has the right to make their own decisions based on their own beliefs and values. The patient's need for autonomy may conflict with care guidelines or suggestions that nurses or other health workers consider to be the best. A person has the right to refuse medication, treatment, surgery, or other medical interventions, regardless of the benefits that may result from doing so. If a patient chooses not to receive treatment that could provide a benefit, the nurse must respect that choice. Nurses' ability to contribute to health policy must be shared across the profession, joining nurses around the world in search of a unified voice.
This helps patients and other healthcare providers better understand and appreciate nurses' contributions. Different universities offer different types of graduate programs that prepare nurses for these four major careers, so it's important to ensure that the graduate program you're considering fits the advanced practice position you want to hold. It focuses on how nurses can use metaparadigm concepts to evaluate and respond to diverse patient care scenarios. These theoretical models in nursing shape nursing research and create conceptual plans that ultimately determine how and why they drive nurse-patient interactions.
Knowing the principles of nursing ethics can not only help future nurses better understand the profession, but it can also help them treat patients with the best possible care. The origins of nursing ethics go back to the late 19th century, a very different era when nurses were not seen as valuable members of a healthcare team as they are today. The current reality of patient care during COVID-19 has also pushed nurses to the limit. By integrating the nursing metaparadigm into their curricula, these programs ensure that the next generation of nurses is well equipped to provide compassionate, informed, and effective care.
An ideal nurse will respect health care practices and will defend safe practices in the care environment and at home. Because nursing is multifaceted, nurses can rely on multiple theories to ensure the best course of action for the patient. Nurses at all levels of practice must participate in ethical review in their specific specialty area. Several nursing theorists offer their own definitions of these concepts based on their individual perspectives on nursing.
And finally, the nurse will not provide care for the patient while under the influence of any substance that may affect thinking or action, including prescription medications. In addition, at least some experience in the nursing field of interest is usually required to be accepted into a graduate program that prepares nurses for one of the four positions at APRN. Ethical considerations in nursing, while challenging, represent a true integration of the art of patient care.
