Define Nursing

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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?

Specializes in home & public health, med-surg, hospice.

The Royal College of Nursing has attempted to come up with a definition of nursing. This is a post to a link discussing how they've gone about it and some of the different issues related to it.

http://www.rcn.org.uk/downloads/definingnursing/definingnursing-a4.pdf

One of the arguments against defining nursing was quoted as "a definition of nursing would be too restrictive for the profession."

Another quote advocating the need to define nursing by Lang was "If we cannot name it, we cannot control it, finance it, research it, teach it, or put it into public policy."

Additionally, (and this is just MHO) I believe we must strive to do this for the reasons that Lang noted above but also to promote the unity which is so lacking in our profession.

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

Restoring health (mental, emotional, psychological, and even physical in a temporary sense) is not always about surviving.

I know what you mean,though.

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Specializes in home & public health, med-surg, hospice.
Restoring health (mental, emotional, psychological, and even physical in a temporary sense) is not always about surviving.

I know what you mean,though.

This is where I think we are able to distinguish ourselves from all other professions in the ability to offering healing of the person (holism) versus curing a disease. :)

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I'll borrow the Navy's slogan: not just a job, an adventure.

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My definition:

Nursing is the art and science of assisting patients to cope and adapt to the changes brought about by illness, and teaching them to maintain their highest level of wellness. This is accomplished by regarding each patient as a unique individual, and by viewing individuals in a holistic manner, taking into consideration the interrelationship of physical, emotional and spiritual health. Nursing is also assisting people to "die well"- with maximum comfort and dignity.

It is very tough to limit to a couple of sentences. I think it's important for us to think about and try to put into words a definition of nursing, and each nurse may have a slightly different philosophy regarding nursing.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
and each nurse may have a slightly different philosophy regarding nursing.

this is sooooo true!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

good lord oh no.........nursing philsophy.....ack that is indeed ANOTHER thread rofl.

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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.

haha,

I like it!

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