Running

head: NURSING PHILOSOPHY PAPER

Nursing Philosophy Paper

Katelyn R. Bryce
James Madison University

NURSING PHILOSOPHY PAPER

2
Abstract

Nursing as a whole has shifted away from the traditional role that they have
played in years past. Nurses have evolved into skilled, multi dimensional caregivers.
They have to be knowledgeable in a multitude of fields as well as extremely personable,
professional and passionate about their craft. This is a demanding profession that is also
in high demand. There will always be a need for skilled nurses in every corner of the
world because to me, it takes a special, driven individual to make nursing their career.
According to the ANA, Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health
and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the
diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals,
families, communities, and populations (Wilson, 2005, p. 116).
When considering the Nursing Metaparadigm, the most important aspect that
comes to mind is a person. Being able to care for the individuals specific needs and
understanding exactly how that person is able to deal with certain pains or stressors is
extremely pertinent. While I may not be able to understand exactly what veterans have
dealt with or what they are currently dealing with, I feel it is my duty to try my hardest to
understand where they are coming from and what they are presently enduring. The fact
that they have already sacrificed part of themselves in service to our country astounds me
and is one of the most selfless acts that a person can perform. So even if a veteran is not
the easiest patient to deal with or is not always in a friendly, talkative mood, I feel that it
is my duty as a nurse to tend to their needs even when it is not the easiest or most
pleasant task. Many of these men will be coming from elevated and respected positions
as well so I feel that is important to help them by letting them know that they are valued

NURSING PHILOSOPHY PAPER

and cared for. Some of them may have been in charge of many other service members,
therefore it could be hard for them to swallow having people doing simple things for
them such as eating or bathing. Due to some of these factors, it is quite possible that the
veterans may not always be high in spirits, so it is important to remember that the patient
is an ever changing individual and there is no guarantee that the present mood will be like
yesterdays mood. Lastly, catering to the patients family is also extremely vital when it
comes to caring for a veteran. The family of the patient is paramount especially in the
case of a wounded service member. Since they are away from their brothers and sisters
that they serve with on a daily basis, their immediate family that visit the hospital are the
only familiar things in their lives at that given moment. I believe that Sally Thorne (1998)
said it best when she concluded that, Nurses began to claim that the person is more than
the disease, indeed a composite of physical, psychological, social and spiritual
dimensions (p. 1259)
The factors encompassed by the microsystem affect the individual in many ways
through several different avenues. The first and sometimes most obvious factor beneath
the microsystem is the internal environment which is compromised of the healthcare
organization, specific nurses and the unit or units in which the patient is being housed in.
Different organizations are able to give a wide variety of service. This has to due with
what that particular organization values and what their beliefs are. Hopefully, when it
comes to the treatment of veterans, organizations take into account what these people
have endured prior to ending up at their facility. Other internal factors include the nurses
tending to the patient as well as the unit they are being housed in. Is the unit comfortable?
Does it suit their individual needs? These are questions that need to be accounted for

NURSING PHILOSOPHY PAPER

when dealing with any sort of patient. When dealing with veterans, another pertinent
aspect under the microsystem is the physiological aspect. For example, a gunshot wound
can prohibit so many physiological processes from taking place. They can be disrupted or
stopped completely, causing a great deal of damage to the patients health. Another
paramount aspect would be the genetic and developmental factors. The way a patient can
react to certain treatments or medications can be critical if not cared for in the proper
manner. Due to these risks, I would need a detailed and thorough report giving a
chronological history of the patients family and medical history. This would ensure that
the patient is cared for in the safest, and most complete way possible. Lastly and to me,
the most important factors are the psychological factors. I feel that this is especially true
when it comes to caring for veterans since they have most likely been through a great
deal of spiritual and emotional trauma. I feel it is essential to understand what kind of
social factors were or currently are affecting the patient. What kind of relationship does
he have with his family? Is he married or does he have children? Have any of his friends
from the armed forces came and visited him? These are all questions that one must ask
when caring for veterans. Emotions are another critical aspect in the psychological
spectrum of a patient. Maybe the patient hasnt had a visitor in a while or perhaps his or
her condition has worsened in the past few days. These are all things that we as nurses
and care givers must realize quickly. These emotional swings may invoke certain moods
or behaviors that you have not seen before in the patient, however these changes are
exactly what we must look for on a day-to-day basis. The patient is an ever-changing
subject where no one day is exactly like another.

NURSING PHILOSOPHY PAPER

With the current theatres of war that our country is involved in, I feel that the
most overlooked aspect of veterans health is the psychological portion. Service members
deploy often and sometimes for more than a year straight. This kind of regular absence
can cause a rift in family life as well as make the service member feel detached from
normal society. I feel that there should be much more of an effort when it comes to
preparing families as well as spouses and other loved ones for the rigors and strains of a
deployment. According to Boberiene and Hornback (2014), Large scale studies could
examine the mental health of non deployed caregivers and evaluate strategies that
decrease stress during deployments, such as family support programs and pre deployment
seminars that help families develop realistic expectations and cope with the stress of
separations. At the same time, more research is needed on reintegration strategies and the
resilience of families dealing with a parents psychological trauma (p. 446). I feel as
though with more ideas and programs of this nature would greatly aid in the
psychological health of not only our veterans but also their families and loved ones. To
me, this practice would generate a lot of positive outcomes on the home front as well as
with the service members currently abroad. I believe their families would greatly benefit
from these practices and the service members would have a peace of mind knowing their
families are receiving aid.
I have known for quite some time that I wanted to do trauma for several reasons.
Early on in my collegiate years I had aspirations of becoming a nurse in our nations
military. I always looked up to service members due to my father being in the Air Force
for 20 years as well as other people I looked up to while growing up. I feel as though
treatment for veterans goes much further than the treatment of the wound or injury itself.

NURSING PHILOSOPHY PAPER

One has to treat the psychological aspects of the patient as well as the physical. Being
able to give emotional support to veterans is vital; however being able to support the
families of these patients is also crucial. Another tough aspect of caring for veterans is the
fact that the majority of them come back with poly trauma meaning that they have more
than one injury to any one body part or organ that can affect them physically, cognitively
or psychologically (Bridgeland, Hartenberger, Poppen, Zobrist, & Steinwedel, 2014). The
massive growth of PTSD (Post traumatic Stress Disorder) is also another aspect to
consider when caring for veterans. With the rapid rate in which veterans are committing
suicide, I feel that this is a facet of nursing in which I would be able to make a great
impact on many lives right away.

NURSING PHILOSOPHY PAPER

7
References:

Boberiene, L. V., & Hornback, B. J. (2014). How can policy strengthen

community support for children in military families?. American Journal Of
Orthopsychiatry, 84(5), 439-446. doi:10.1037/h0099862
Bridgeland, H. J., Hartenberger, K. E., Poppen, A. N., Zobrist, K. C., &
Steinwedel, C. (2014). Polytrauma in Veterans: What Does It Mean for the MedicalSurgical Nurse?. MEDSURG Nursing, 23(4), 213-237.
Thorne, S., Canam, C., Dahinten, S., Hall, W., Henderson, A., & Kirkham, S.
(1998). Nursing's metaparadigm concepts: disimpacting the debates. Journal Of
Advanced Nursing, 27(6), 1257-1268. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2648.1998.00623.x
Wilson, C. (2005). Said another way. My definition of nursing. Nursing Forum,
40(3), 116-118. Doi:10.1111/j.1744-6198.2005.00016.x