Philosophy of Advanced Practice Nursing as a Nurse Educator
My philosophy of a nurse and an educator is based upon Nancy Watson’s Theory of Caring. This theory believes that “nursing is concerned with promoting health, preventing illness, caring for the sick and restoring health” (Jean Watson’s Theory of Nursing, 2012, p. 4). I wholeheartedly believe one of Watson’s assumptions, that caring is fundamental to nursing (Jean Watson’s Theory of Nursing, 2012). It seems old-fashioned in this day and age of evidence-based practice and computers but I feel it is very relevant for today.
Caring encompasses fulfilling the basic human needs first, teaching and encouraging healthy lifestyles next, and allowing the person the dignity to choose what is best for them at that time. It also promotes scientific problem solving at the same time (Watson, 2007). As an advanced practice nurse (APN) and as an educator, I have the opportunity to affect a great number of patients through teaching new nurses these caring skills.
The AACN Master’s Essentials list nine essentials for a master’s prepared nurse. The APN has a background in science and humanities, is a leader, participates in quality enhancement, promotes health policies for improvement of population health, and uses technology to integrate research into practice (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2011). Although, it is difficult to achieve all of these in the workplace, I will endeavor to do so.
As a teacher, I strive to be more of a coach, rather than an instructor. I help patients and students gain knowledge that they can use and have meaning for them. I also model the love of learning and quest for knowledge to other staff and to my patients by speaking about the latest research or about my current class. I am a leader by participating in teams for improving care and will continue to do so in my new role as an advanced care nurse.
I feel it is important to use computer informatics to advance health care and education. I have made several teaching videos in the last year that I have posted to YouTube. I want to learn more about making videos and continue to expand my use of this medium. Another interest of mine is the use of smart phones for education and motivational messages for smoking cessation, weight management, and exercise. By embracing technology, I can still teach but reach a larger audience.
I feel that as an APN, I have several essential roles for the future. The first is to teach and mentor new nurses. The second is to promote community health through education. A third role is to instruct associate and bachelor prepared nurses with staff education and to endorse further learning. All of these roles will be infused with caring. Look out, world because here I come!
References
Nursing theories: a companion to nursing theories and models. (2012). Retrieved Jan. 14, 2013, from http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Watson.html
Watson, J. (2007, Jan-Mar). Watson’s theory of human caring and subjective living experiences:carative factors. Texto Contexto Enferm, 16(1), 129-135.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2011, March 21). The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing [Policy brief]. Retrieved from : http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/MastersEssentials11.pdf
My philosophy of a nurse and an educator is based upon Nancy Watson’s Theory of Caring. This theory believes that “nursing is concerned with promoting health, preventing illness, caring for the sick and restoring health” (Jean Watson’s Theory of Nursing, 2012, p. 4). I wholeheartedly believe one of Watson’s assumptions, that caring is fundamental to nursing (Jean Watson’s Theory of Nursing, 2012). It seems old-fashioned in this day and age of evidence-based practice and computers but I feel it is very relevant for today.
Caring encompasses fulfilling the basic human needs first, teaching and encouraging healthy lifestyles next, and allowing the person the dignity to choose what is best for them at that time. It also promotes scientific problem solving at the same time (Watson, 2007). As an advanced practice nurse (APN) and as an educator, I have the opportunity to affect a great number of patients through teaching new nurses these caring skills.
The AACN Master’s Essentials list nine essentials for a master’s prepared nurse. The APN has a background in science and humanities, is a leader, participates in quality enhancement, promotes health policies for improvement of population health, and uses technology to integrate research into practice (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2011). Although, it is difficult to achieve all of these in the workplace, I will endeavor to do so.
As a teacher, I strive to be more of a coach, rather than an instructor. I help patients and students gain knowledge that they can use and have meaning for them. I also model the love of learning and quest for knowledge to other staff and to my patients by speaking about the latest research or about my current class. I am a leader by participating in teams for improving care and will continue to do so in my new role as an advanced care nurse.
I feel it is important to use computer informatics to advance health care and education. I have made several teaching videos in the last year that I have posted to YouTube. I want to learn more about making videos and continue to expand my use of this medium. Another interest of mine is the use of smart phones for education and motivational messages for smoking cessation, weight management, and exercise. By embracing technology, I can still teach but reach a larger audience.
I feel that as an APN, I have several essential roles for the future. The first is to teach and mentor new nurses. The second is to promote community health through education. A third role is to instruct associate and bachelor prepared nurses with staff education and to endorse further learning. All of these roles will be infused with caring. Look out, world because here I come!
References
Nursing theories: a companion to nursing theories and models. (2012). Retrieved Jan. 14, 2013, from http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Watson.html
Watson, J. (2007, Jan-Mar). Watson’s theory of human caring and subjective living experiences:carative factors. Texto Contexto Enferm, 16(1), 129-135.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2011, March 21). The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing [Policy brief]. Retrieved from : http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/MastersEssentials11.pdf