world (nursing) and asking the who, what, why, where, when, and how questions” (Alpers et al., 2013, para. 4). Nursing philosophy has developed significantly over the last one hundred years. Long before the introduction of evidence-based practice, Florence Nightingale proposed that research and theory development should be an important part of the nursing profession (Alpers et al., 2013). Nightingale believed nursing is a science based on statistics, facts, and research. However, she also believed that nursing is an art and each nurse should develop his/her own unique philosophy that is cultivated using established nursing theories and models (Alpers et al., 2013). An important aspect of nursing philosophies and theories are the four metaparadigms concepts. These metaparadigms include person, environment, health, and nursing (Tourville and Ingalls, 2003). My own practice has been developed from my previous experiences, in addition to, established theories and evidence-based practice. One theory that relates well to my nursing practice is the Theory of Interpersonal Relations developed by Hildegard Peplau (Peplau, 1997). Peplau (1997) states relationship is an interpersonal field, the data of which “the nurse-patient can be examined within the dyad as a basis for greater self-understanding and (p. 162). learning” In the following sections I will discuss my personal philosophy and definitions of the four nursing metaparadigms. Person The first metaparadigm concept of nursing is person. In my own practice I define person as the individual seeking care from the health care provider. Including the extension of the patient such as family members, significant others, and caregivers. Along these same lines,
world (nursing) and asking the who, what, why, where, when, and how questions” (Alpers et al., 2013, para. 4). Nursing philosophy has developed significantly over the last one hundred years. Long before the introduction of evidence-based practice, Florence Nightingale proposed that research and theory development should be an important part of the nursing profession (Alpers et al., 2013). Nightingale believed nursing is a science based on statistics, facts, and research. However, she also believed that nursing is an art and each nurse should develop his/her own unique philosophy that is cultivated using established nursing theories and models (Alpers et al., 2013). An important aspect of nursing philosophies and theories are the four metaparadigms concepts. These metaparadigms include person, environment, health, and nursing (Tourville and Ingalls, 2003). My own practice has been developed from my previous experiences, in addition to, established theories and evidence-based practice. One theory that relates well to my nursing practice is the Theory of Interpersonal Relations developed by Hildegard Peplau (Peplau, 1997). Peplau (1997) states “the nurse-patient relationship is an interpersonal field, the data of which can be examined within the dyad as a basis for greater self-understanding and learning” (p. 162). In the following sections I will discuss my personal philosophy and definitions of the four nursing metaparadigms. Person The first metaparadigm concept of nursing is person. In my own practice I define person as the individual seeking care from the health care provider. Including the extension of the patient such as family members, significant others, and caregivers. Along these same lines,