Running head: QUESTION RESPONSES 1
Written Responses to Questions 1
Ashley Larkin
Liberty University
QUESTION RESPONSES 2
1) Is nursing a science or an art, or both?
a. Nursing is the perfect definition of what it means to be considered both a
science and an art. When you think of the definition of science, you think of
something we have observed, formed a hypothesis, and performed an experiment
to test of the validity of a theory. In terms of nursing this is done on a continual
basis so to enhance practice with the goal of providing patient-focused care. We
continually research how and why we do the things we do, as well as how we may
be able to perform our job differently or better.
On the other side of the spectrum, when you think of what it means for
something to be an art, you think of creativeness, emotion, expression and
imaginative ability. Every day, at least in my own personal practice, I as well as
all the nurses that I work with attempt to be creative in our care and in our ability
to execute or perform a certain task. The reason behind this being is that every
patient and every patient population is different. So, in order to ensure the best
care is always delivered we must constantly be creative and imaginative in how to
efficiently and effectively perform the job of the nurse.
2) In your own words, define the following terms. Use your text and other sources:
Ontology
Looking at nature versus reality to define existence. (McEwen & Wills, 2014)
Extant
oSomething is enduring or still surviving. (McEwen et al, 2014)
QUESTION RESPONSES 3
Epistemology
Studying how people learn new things or obtain new knowledge. (McEwen et al.
2014)
Empiricism
oThe theory that all knowledge a individual has obtained came from sense
experience. (McEwen et al. 2014)
logical positivism
oIf the theory or problem cannot be conclusively verified by a scientific
method, it is meaningless (Merriam-Webster INC, 2019)
post-positivism
oThe belief that the knowledge, values and background one possesses is not
independent of research being performed and can directly influence the
outcome or result. (Merriam-Webster INC, 2019)
received view
oPeople learn new things by being told about them by others or “receiving
knowledge.” (McEwen et al, 2014)
perceived view
oPlacing emphasis on experience and lived reality. There can be multiple
truths based on subjective knowledge. (McEwen et al, 2014)
Paradigm
oThe organization and pattern behind a discipline that explains its
framework. (McEwen et al, 2014)
QUESTION RESPONSES 4
3) The metaparadigm 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? Would you add any other components or sub-components?
a. I would agree that these four concepts adequately define nursing’s metaparadigm
from a broad perspective. All four of these concepts come to mind when you think
of what about what it means to be a nurse. I do believe that under each of these
four defined concepts you could add many sub-components that would be specific
to each given patient or situation. Starting with the concept of person, you could
add spirituality, culture, family, and socioeconomic status. In nursing we should
view the patient in a holistic manner to include all the pieces that make an
individual unique so that we can appropriately care for them. Under the concept
of environment, I think we should add two subcategories of internal and external
factors related to the patient. The concept of health encompasses quality and well
being of the patient, I do not feel we need to add a subcategory here, but I believe
the definition of health varies from person to person. Lastly the concept of nursing
should include the subcategories of knowledge, skill and art. Nursing is both a
profession and an art, and each nurse will bring something different and unique to
the table in how they deliver nursing care.
4) Up until now, has nursing theory or philosophy been important to your own practice?
Why or why not?
a. Nursing theory has only been an important part of my practice as of
recently. Upon graduating with my Associates in Nursing, theory and philosophy
were not emphasized or discussed hardly at all. It was not until I pursued my
bachelor’s in nursing that I even read about or understood the principles behind
nursing theory and philosophy. Since the beginning of my career I had my own
QUESTION RESPONSES 5
ideals and reasons behind how I intended to practice as a nurse, then after learning
more about nursing theory, I realized that my own personal philosophy closely
resembled Nola Pender’s health promotion model. This specific model focuses on
health not being defined solely as an absence of illness or disease, but on
improving quality of life by finding a source of motivation specific to the
individual in order to achieve an optimal health state (Alligood, 2018)
This is important to my own practice because by using this philosophy,
you truly look at the patient in a holistic prospective, not just focusing on what
acute or chronic disease process we may be treating. You consider physical,
emotional, spiritual, cultural, etc. to help the patient achieve the best quality of
life possible. Looking at my job from this perspective gives it a much greater
meaning. Attempting to understand a patient from their roots, personalizes and
enhances the quality of care I can deliver.
QUESTION RESPONSES 6
References
Alligood, M.R. (2018). Nursing theorists and their work (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier
McEwen, M., & Wills, E.M. (2014). Theoretical basis for nursing (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Merriam-Webster INC (2019). Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/
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