Framework Concepts and Program Outcomes: A Comprehensive Approach to Nursing Education
Nursing education benefits from framework that grounds students in theoretical knowledge while preparing them for the practical challenges in healthcare. Central to this framework are the metaparadigm concepts of nursing: person, nursing, health, and environment. These concepts combined give the nurse a holistic understanding necessary of care. This paper gives an organizing framework for nursing education, discusses the relationship between its concepts, and proposes program outcomes that align with the Joint Commission Hospital National Patient Safety Goals.
Framework Concepts
The framework consists of four concepts: person, nursing, health, and environment. These concepts are like the principles of nursing theory and practice. With them one can begin to develop a holistic approach to understanding the needs of patients.
Person
The concept of person in nursing refers to the patient as one who has physical, psychological, social, economic, and spiritual needs. Because people are not robots and are all unique in their needs and wants, it means that nurses must approach them with sensitivity and understanding (Oner et al., 2021). This is the basis for the person-centered approach, wherein nurses provide care that is respectful of and responsive to the needs of patients.
Nursing
Nursing is both a science and an art. Its aim is to promote health and restore health when necessary. This practice involves supporting patients, families, and communities with care and education. Nursing is motivated by compassion, supported by communication, and guided by the importance of realizing and meeting the needs of the person. Nurses should be advocates for patients, using their skill to assess, diagnose, comfort and intervene (Heck et al., 2022).
Health
Health is the well-being of the person, and like the person it too has physical, mental, spiritual, and social dimensions (Bozek et al., 2020). Health is a relative scale, but nurses support a patients health by educating about healthy behaviors, working to promote policies that support public health, and offering care services to communities to prevent illness or manage chronic conditions.
Environment
The environment includes all external factors that influence a persons health and well-beingi.e., the physical, social, cultural, and economic conditions. A supportive environment is helpful for health, as it can either promote or act as a barrier to health goals. Nurses have to know the impact of environmental factors, such as pollution or the social determinants of health, and should work for preventive care to create safer, healthier environments for all (Johnson et al., 2022).
Relationship Between the Concepts
The relationship between the concepts of person, nursing, health, and environment is what goes into forming the holistic framework of nursing practice. These concepts relate because they all have to do with health, and health cannot be supported without taking into consideration all these concepts with a systems thinking kind of approach. For example, the health of a person is influenced by factors like lifestyle, diet, environment, and psychology. Nursing involves...
…medication administration. For NPSG VI: Graduates will reduce healthcare-associated infections by implementing evidence-based practices in
infection prevention and control.
Changes Based on Peer Collaboration
Peer collaboration played a significant role in refining the framework concepts and program outcomes. Feedback from peers highlighted the need to emphasize cultural competence and patient-centered care, leading to revisions in the definitions of "person" and "nursing." Additionally, peer discussions reinforced the importance of aligning program outcomes with current patient safety goals, ensuring that graduates are prepared to meet the demands of modern healthcare settings.
For example, peer feedback led to the inclusion of specific guidelines for medication safety, emphasizing the need for graduates to understand and apply the five R's of medication administration. This feedback also informed the development of program outcomes related to infection prevention and surgical safety, highlighting the importance of these areas in ensuring patient safety.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the framework concepts of person, nursing, health, and environment provide a comprehensive foundation for nursing education, enabling students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver holistic, patient-centered care. Nurses can provide care that is responsive to the needs of individuals and communities, promoting health and well-being. The proposed program outcomes align with the Joint Commission Hospital National Patient Safety Goals, ensuring that graduates are prepared to meet the challenges of modern healthcare environments. Through peer collaboration, these framework concepts and program outcomes have been refined and enhanced, ensuring that they reflect the complexities and demands…
