Running head: ROLE PAPER

Role Paper
Jill Slade
Ferris State University

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Abstract
Nursing is a career that is full of many different opportunities for advancement in
education, ranging from clinical nurse specialist to nursing informatics. Every nurse starting out
has to develop nursing knowledge in order to be successful. Nurses gain this nursing knowledge
over time; however, it all starts at the beginning, gaining it from nursing educators as they teach
the fundamentals of nursing. Nursing educators play a key role in helping develop the nursing
knowledge one needs to be successful. Within the paper key elements of nursing knowledge and
education will be discussed and how nursing knowledge will be utilized in my own clinical
practice as I advance my educational degree.

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Nursing is a profession of many colors, each and every day there is a wide variety of
colorful characteristics stemming out of nurses throughout the entire world. It takes the right
person to be successful within the nursing field; they possess many characteristics which can
easily represent a rainbow of colors. Passion, organization, determination, endurance, strength,
caring, and compassion are a few of the characteristics that can represent the many colors of a
nurse. Nursing knowledge, a key characteristic for all practicing nurses is very important.
Nursing knowledge stems from the first day of clinical all the way to the end of a nurses career.
Each and every day the nurse gains new knowledge, this new knowledge allows the nurse to be
successful within his or her own scope of practice. The purpose of writing this paper is to explain
nursing knowledge and how it will be enhanced over the years as I personally transition into the
advanced practice role as a nurse.
Nursing Knowledge
Nursing knowledge can be represented by any color of the rainbow, it is an essential
characteristic needed to become a successful nurse. Yellow, one of the brightest colors of the
rainbow can easily express the importance of nursing knowledge, as it should stand out in any
nurse, but even more with an advanced practice nurse. Nursing knowledge stems back to the late
1800s when Florence Nightingale established schools for nursing. Nightingale is known for
founding the first organized training program for nurses in the United States in 1872, at the New
England Hospital. Not only is she known for establishing the first school for nursing she also
defined the theoretical foundation for nursing practice (National League for Nursing, 2012).
Nursing theory and conceptual models have evolved over many years starting all the way
back to Nightingales time in the late 1800s and continues to advance with technology. Nursing

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theory deals with concrete concepts and propositions within the nursing field. Concepts that
have been integrated into meaningful configurations define a conceptual model (Masters, 2014).
Both nursing theory and conceptual models are two of the many pillars that hold up the
definition of nursing knowledge.
Nursing knowledge is represented by conceptual models of nursing and nursing theories.
Several nurse scholars organized nursing knowledge by spending a great deal of time observing
clinical situations (Kearney-Nunnery, 2008). Nurses of all levels of practice can contribute to the
knowledge of the nursing field. Nurses use theories and/or conceptual models in their everyday
practice to improve the quality of care, many times they are unaware of the use of the theories
because it has become imbedded in every day practice as a nurse.
Betty Neuman, a nursing theorist, uses the conceptual model approach to her theory of
nursing knowledge. Facilitating a goal directed, holistic approach to client care reflects the use
of Betty Neumans conceptual model (Alligood & Tomey, 2010). Neumans theory can easily be
utilized in every day practice as a nurse by following three steps: nursing diagnosis, nursing
goals and nursing outcomes. The three steps to Neumans theory represent the same steps of the
nursing process, one of the basic fundamentals that a nurse learns in the beginning of her nursing
career (Alligood & Tomey, 2010). Utilizing these three steps along with the nursing process
allows the nurse to gain more nursing knowledge for one self and also influences the knowledge
of many other nurses. According to Neuman University, 2010 Neumans model is well known in
many different areas of practice, it is used and well accepted in nursing academics and is used at
all levels of nursing education from diploma through doctorate. An effective framework for
nursing education is provided by the model, it is used to guide learning in both the classroom and
clinical setting for multiple levels of nursing (Neuman University, 2010).

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Nursing theories and conceptual frameworks have become part of the backbone to
nursing knowledge. Frameworks and theories are two of the many different things that are taught
in nursing schools around the world to help nurses gain and develop the knowledge needed to
become a successful practicing nurse. Nursing knowledge starts day one of nursing school, as
clinical days advance, the nursing student gains more knowledge. A vast variety of nursing
knowledge is gained throughout nursing school in order for a new nurse to learn the basics of
nursing and how to effectively take care of patients in the clinical setting. Each and every day a
nurse practices in a variety of settings, which may include but not limited to, acute care settings,
family practice, outpatient clinics, education departments, and universities. Within the many
different settings they are utilizing their nursing knowledge and sharing it with others. Nursing is
a profession where no two things are the same because all signs and symptoms present
differently in all patients, making this a challenge for some at times. With that, nursing
knowledge is never ending, especially for those advancing their educational career. Continuing
education is a requirement for all nurses as they renew their license; this gives the nurse the
opportunity to expand his or her nursing knowledge and to utilize it in every day practice.
Significance of Unique Knowledge
Education is a key component to gaining nursing knowledge; without education nurses
would not possess the knowledge and skill sets to effectively care for patients. As stated above,
nursing knowledge is gained by learning about the many different theories, concepts and ideas.
According to Masters (2014), learning the organization of theories, concepts, and ideas of the
nursing practice is meaningful when implementing them into clinical practice, conducting
research, and for further knowledge development.

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Nursing as a discipline has four different concepts: person, environment, health and
nursing. The four different concepts are central to nursing and represent the definition of nursing
as a profession. According to Tourville and Ingallss 2003 article The Living Tree of Nursing
Theories, the four paradigm concepts set unique boundaries for the nursing profession. Person,
the first concept can be identified as any individual, group or community who utilizes healthcare.
Secondly, the concept of environment can be defined as any environment in which the nurse is
implementing his or her nursing knowledge to help improve the quality of care for the patient.
Health, the third concept of nursing can be defined as the best patient outcome influenced by the
quality of care given to the person within the level of ones environment. Through the use of
evidence-based practice and individualized patient care, improved outcomes to patient health are
achieved. Nursing, the last concept can be defined by exploring the role of the nurse. Nurses use
clinical skills to assess the need for change in practice and utilize best evidence to design and
implement cost effective care along with advancing quality and achieving the best patient
outcomes.
Aside from the four concepts of person, environment, health and nursing is knowing in
nursing. Carper (1978) identifies four fundamental patterns of knowing: empirics, esthetics,
ethics and personal knowledge. Empirics, the science of nursing encompasses conceptual
structures that relate to internal and external environments of clinical practice, focusing on
adaptation. Esthetics, the art of nursing can be expressed as the creativity the nurse uses to
provide effective care to his or her patients (Carper, 1978). The art of nursing also focuses on
how nurses empathize and how it allows the nurse to become more involved with the care of his
or her patients. Ethics, the moral component of nursing deals with that is right and wrong in the
clinical setting. Carper (1978) explains the moral code that guides the ethical conduct of nurses

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is based on the primary principles of obligation embodied in the concepts of service to people
and respect of human life (p. 29). The most difficult pattern of knowing to master for nurses is
the component of knowledge. Personal knowledge is concerned with finding your individual self
and growing toward human potential (Carper, 1978).
Utilizing the four concepts along with the four fundamental patterns of knowing in the
nursing profession will help guide nurses toward a high level of care for all patients. Nursing is
a profession that is ever expanding its resources and consists of so much information that the
concepts need to be limited in order for an individual to gain the basic skills needed to practice
and advance them over time with experience. Between the lines of each of the four concepts and
fundamental patterns of knowing stand many other important aspects of nursing such as
organization, compassion, and critical thinking; that is why the four concepts encompass only a
small portion of the profession but are great tools for starting to gain nursing knowledge.
Role Development
Walking the halls of a hospital, one may observe the many different levels of knowledge
the nurses possess. The many levels of knowledge have been gained through clinical experience
and advancing ones educational career, both help to improve the quality of care given to all of
their patients. Nursing educators play a big role in the development of nursing knowledge.
As I transition from a Bachelors in Science of Nursing prepared nurse to a Masters in
Science of Nursing prepared nurse focusing on education, nursing knowledge development and
obtaining personal goals must be achieved in order to be successful. Over the next three years I
intend on gaining more nursing knowledge so that I can utilize and share it within my every day
practice as a nurse. My goal is to be able to educate future nurses when going through school as I

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know how important it is to be properly trained and educated in order to gain success and
confidence as a practicing nurse.
Reflecting back on personal experiences, it is very important to have been given proper
education in order to be successful. Starting out as a nurse on a very busy telemetry floor with no
acute care experience, I faced many challenges. Having an excellent preceptor to show me the
ways of the floor and help to enhance nursing knowledge was essential in order to be successful.
After four weeks of orientation I felt ready to overcome the challenges and go off orientation.
After three days on my own, which felt like an eternity, I felt myself giving up and questioning
how I could do this another day. After speaking to my manager she set me back up on orientation
with a different nurse, after spending two weeks with her I felt so much more confident. She
pushed me to learn as much as possible in a different way than my past preceptor had, after
coming off orientation with her I felt more confident and succeeded as a new nurse on the floor.
Yes, there were days that I struggled, however, I learned the organizational tools from her to stay
on top of my game and complete the many tasks needed every day. Learning from this
experience, I now understand the importance of having more advanced practice nurses
specializing in education to help train others and making them believe in themselves.
According to the National League for Nursing (2012), academic nursing education is the
process of facilitating learning through curriculum design, teaching, evaluation, advisement, and
other activities undertaken by faculty in schools of nursing (p.5). Academic nurse education is
an advanced practice role and is visible in a variety of settings such as hospitals, universities and
technical schools. Nursing education stems all the way back to the 1800s in Kaiserwerth,
Germany where Deaconess Women worked for Christ by teaching nursing. Nursing education

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has been around for more than 160 years; however, academic nursing education as an advanced
practice has been slow to develop (National League for Nursing, 2012).
With the slow process of implementing nursing education into an advanced practice role,
it is a personal goal to be successful at completing the program in order to make a difference
with the lives of many nurses. According to the American Nurses Association (2010), education
is a standard of practice. Registered nurses gain knowledge, skills, and become competent within
the nursing practice. Nurses continue to gain knowledge in the clinical setting by working in
different environments and experiencing new things on a regular basis. Utilizing research and
implementing it into practice is essential when it comes to nursing. As an educator in the future,
it is my responsibility to maintain my own competencies and allow for learning to take place in
all situations.
Seeking out experiences will allow a nurse to stay up to date with current practices;
nursing is a profession with many changes and is always advancing. The standard of education is
extremely important in the advanced practice role for nurse educators; however, the standard of
leadership also plays a key role in the success of a nurse educator. Engaging in teamwork,
creating and maintaining health work environments, expressing creativity, and flexibility are all
characteristics of leadership (ANA, 2010). A nurse educator will be more successful at achieving
his or her goals if they develop the leadership skills that an advanced practicing nurse should
possess. Over the course of the program, I am excited to challenge my nursing knowledge and
watch it grow over time with the experiences that lay ahead of me. Accepting the challenges will
allow for personal growth, this personal growth will help me to become a better educator and
leader so that nurses in the future are led by example.

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Conclusion
Nursing knowledge, the brightest color of the rainbow will personally continue to grow
with time and experience as new challenges are faced. At times it may be difficult to
communicate the change in knowledge in the clinical setting when transitioning from a
Bachelors prepared nurse to a Masters prepared nurse. However, being open minded and
accepting will allow for those challenges to be overcome. Advancing to a Masters in Education
will allow me to instruct and teach the nursing knowledge to nurses throughout my entire career
and watch them grow. This brings joy and excitement to know that advancing my career will
touch the lives of many individuals as did the preceptor who helped me to grow as a stronger
nurse when first starting out.

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References
American Nurses Association (2010). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.) Silver
Spring, Maryland: Nursesbooks.org.
National League for Nursing (2012). The scope of practice for academic nurse educators
(Revision). New York, New York: National League for Nursing .
Carper, B. A. (1978). Fundamental patterns of knowing in nursing. ANS, 13-24.
Kearney-Nunnery, R. (2008). Advancing your career: Concepts of professional nursing (4th ed.).
Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Company.
Masters, K. (2014). Role development in professional nursing practice (3rd ed.). Retrieved from
http://samples.jbpub.com/9781449691509/81982_CH02_Pass1.pdf
Neuman, B. (2008). Neuman systems model. Retrieved from:
http://www.neumansystemsmodel.org/index.html
Neuman University. (2010). Neuman systems model. Retrieved from:
http://www.neumann.edu/academics/undergrad/nursing/model.asp
Tomey, A. M., & Alligood M, R. (2006). Nursing theorists and their work. (6th ed.). St. Louis,
MO: Mosby Elsevier
Tourville, C., & Ingalls, K. (2003). The living tree of nursing theories. Nursing Forum, 38(3),
2130, 36.