Define Nursing

James Huffman · Nov 12, 2005

Good question. A couple of points, however.

First, most people have no clue what nursing is, and I fault us for that. We have never clearly defined it in our professional circles, and we can't fault others for not knowing what it is we do if we don't know ourselves.

I sense a little impatience with nursing theorists in this post, however, someone has to do the theoretical work (and intellectual work is, indeed, hard work). If we don't value our theoretical nurses, we can be sure that nursing will quickly morph into a technical field dominated by our employers.

So what's nursing? Think physiology. Nursing is the art and science of assisting clients in supporting, recovering, and maintaining normal physiological function in all conditions throughout the client's lifespan, and assisting the client in adapting to changes in physiological function. This is a definition I've tried to keep in the back of my mind since I studied nursing theory in school. It's not a definition that works perfectly (few definitions do) but I think it's a good goal to strive for, and one that works to maintain dignity for our clients, while at the same time making nursing a discrete professional field, which brings something valuable to clients and patients in whatever arena we work with them.

Jim Huffman, RN

SFCardiacRN · Nov 13, 2005

Nursing is first and foremost Patient care and advocacy. Nursing is everything beside what is reserved for MD's only. From running hospitals and training young doc's to wiping ass or kicking ass PRN.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Nov 13, 2005

We need RN/Writer here. She came up with a beautiful definition in another thread some time back when we discussed the very same thing.

Oh, RN/Writer...where are you?

nurse4theplanet, RN · Nov 13, 2005

nursing is the best darn profession in the world :wink2:

Nursing is the holistic care of another person; mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physiologically. Care begins before illness by promoting health and wellness through appropriate education and support. Primary focus is found in the interventions used during periods of ill health, used to promote maximum functioning and recovery. Care extends beyond the patient to family members and friends who are directly impacted by the status of the client. Nursing upholds the patient's rights and wishes as being the ultimate deciding factor of how care will be orchestrated. Nursing is the bridge that unites the multiple variables involved in total care of the client's needs.

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 13, 2005

You are doing a grave injustice by asking any nurse to define nursing in one or two sentences. Sorry,but that is the truth. It's impossible to even come close to defining the very essence of who we are, as artists and scientists, to do that.

rn/writer, RN · Nov 13, 2005

we need rn/writer here. she came up with a beautiful definition in another thread some time back when we discussed the very same thing.
oh, rn/writer...where are you?

hey, wolfie!

this is what we collectively arrived at after several exchanges on the "jay leno slams nurses" thread (of all places).

in my book, any definition of nursing that leaves out either the art or the science will be incomplete. it is this combination, above all else, that distinguishes nursing from other disciplines. we are the ones who help the patients assemble the pieces they get from everyone else into a cohesive whole. we are the ones who advocate on their behalf when there is confusion over what the respiratory therapist said or how often the pt wants the exercises done. we are the ones who serve as the alarm when one physical system or another starts causing problems. perhaps, we really serve as the patient's alter ego, holding out for what he himself would insist upon if he were in a position to do so.

how's this revamped statement? nursing is care that combines art and science, compassion and education, connection and skill, to meet patients where they are and help them navigate the pathways that will lead them closer to where they want to be.

GLORIAmunchkin72 · Nov 13, 2005

Nurturing, bringing back to health.

It seems everyone (scriptwriters, politicians, doctors, editorialists, etc.) has an opinion about what nursing is. I don't know that anyone ever asks us. I know nursing THEORISTS wax on and on about it and, frankly, often say foolish things.
Briefly (maybe 2 sentances or so), can you define nursing?

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 13, 2005

ah but that was not one or two sentences, RN/Writer.

nurse4theplanet, RN · Nov 13, 2005

Nurturing, bringing back to health.

What about care of the dying? Nursing is not always about restoring health.

nurse4theplanet, RN · Nov 13, 2005

how's this revamped statement? nursing is care that combines art and science, compassion and education, connection and skill, to meet patients where they are and help them navigate the pathways that will lead them closer to where they want to be.

:yelclap: :cheers: :yeahthat: :bow: :biere: :w00t:

rn/writer, RN · Nov 13, 2005

ah but that was not one or two sentences, rn/writer.

the green was preamble (and just a snippet of the longer exchanges wolfie and i had--a really good interchange, i might add).

the distillation of our conversations is in blue and ended up being just a single sentence, even if it is a tad long.