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Metaparadigm Concepts of Nursing

Jenee L. Carney
Ferris State University

Metaparadigm Concepts of Nursing


We have discussed knowledge and more specifically the uniqueness of nursing
knowledge through review of Carpers (1978) four fundamental patterns of knowing. I would
describe nursing knowledge as very complex, and constantly changing and evolving. In regards
to nursing theory, I believe the terms uniqueness and complexity can also be applied to the
discussion. The meaning of nursing and the identification of categories of knowledge that are
relevant for nursing practice are summarized in what is called the metaparadigms of nursing
(Fawcett, 2009, p. 5)
The metaparadigm of nursing identifies human beings, the environment, health, and
nursing as the subject matter of interest to nurses. (Fawcett, 2009, p. 5) The human being or
person is the individual and/or families who are participants in care. The environment represents
the physical surroundings and conditions that impact the health of the human being. The concept
of health can be described as wellness and illness or living and dying. While the nursing concept

represents all aspects of care such as assessment, diagnosis, planning, interventions, personal
interaction, and caring.
I view the person or human being as central to nursing care and health care in general. I
would compare this metaparadigm concept to the nucleus of the cell. The cell cannot function
without the nucleus. Similarly, without the human being or person, nursing would not exist.
Therefore, the concept of human being or person must be incorporated within all nursing
theories.
The concept of health surrounds the concept of person or human being just as the cell
surrounds the nucleus. Everything about health, illness or wellness, directly effects the person.
Just as everything about the person directly affects health. These concepts are dependent upon
each other, and one does not exist without the other. Therefore, the concept health must also be
identified in all nursing theories.
The physical environment in which the person exists has a direct impact on the person
and the person impacts the environment. Health can also effect the environment because we
change the environment to be supportive of health. I will us the low stimulation neurologic
environment as an example. Due to a traumatic brain injury we change the environment to
improve this health condition. We know that a low stim environment reduces stimulation of the
injured brain, and we believe changing the environment will improve outcomes. The
environment can be any setting where care exists, so the environment must be identified in all
nursing theories.
The concept of nursing directly effects the person, health, and the environment. Each of
the concepts also directly effects nursing. The concept of nursing within the metaparadigm

represents all aspects of nursing. Without the concept of nursing, nursing theory would not exist.
I believe its very easy to understand that all nursing theory must include the concept of nursing.
I have included a conceptual map that I designed to represent my perception of the
metaparadigm relationships described. Each of the four concepts within the metaparadigm of
nursing directly impacts the other. For this reason, I believe it is easy to understand why all
nursing theories must include the metaparadigm concepts of person, health, environment, and
nursing.

References
Fawcett, J. (2009). Evaluating Research for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice.
[Proquest Ebrary]. Retrieved from www.ferris.edu/library/

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