NURS 8114 – Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Nursing

Assignment: Written Philosophy of Nursing Practice (Modules 1–2)

Course and Assignment Overview

Course: NURS 8114 – Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Nursing (Walden DNP Core)
Assessment Type: Individual scholarly paper
Timing: Modules 1–2 (Weeks 1–2), following introductory readings on philosophy, theory, and scientific foundations
Length: 4–5 pages (approximately 1,200–1,500 words), excluding title page and references

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to support the development of a clearly articulated personal philosophy of advanced nursing practice. You will integrate your professional values, selected nursing and interdisciplinary theories, and your emerging Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) role, with particular attention to advocacy and social change. This paper establishes a conceptual foundation that will guide your scholarly and clinical work throughout the DNP program.

Required Sections

Use clear section headings that align exactly with the components below.

1. Introduction (1 paragraph)

Introduce the concept of a nursing philosophy and explain why philosophical grounding is essential at the DNP level. Briefly situate the paper within advanced practice, leadership, and evidence-based nursing.

End the introduction with a clear purpose statement beginning with:
“The purpose of this paper is…”
The statement should preview the main sections of the paper, including personal beliefs, supporting theories, the DNP role, and social change.

2. Personal Philosophy of Nursing Practice (1–1.5 pages)

Describe your core beliefs and values related to the following nursing metaparadigm concepts:

• Person: Patients, families, populations, and communities

• Health and Illness: Wellness, suffering, healing, and quality of life

• Environment: Care settings, social context, and determinants of health

• Nursing: The nurse’s primary mandate, ethical responsibilities, and professional role

Link these beliefs to professional values such as compassion, respect, accountability, justice, cultural humility, and evidence-based care. Where appropriate, incorporate brief practice examples to illustrate how your philosophy guides clinical decision-making and professional behavior.

3. Theoretical Foundations Supporting Your Philosophy (1.5–2 pages)

Select and integrate the following theories:

• At least two middle-range nursing theories
  Examples include Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory, Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory, or Orlando’s Deliberative Nursing Process.

• One interdisciplinary or grand theory
  Examples include Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory or Transformational Leadership Theory.

For each selected theory:

• Provide a concise explanation of two to three core concepts

• Explain how the theory supports specific elements of your nursing philosophy

• Demonstrate how the theories collectively strengthen patient-centered care and systems-level change

Avoid extensive historical detail; focus instead on application to advanced nursing practice.

4. DNP Role and Advocacy for Social Change (1–1.5 pages)

Connect your philosophy and selected theories to your future DNP role by addressing the following:

• How you will use advanced knowledge, leadership skills, and evidence-based practice to improve patient and population outcomes

• How your philosophy supports advocacy for social change, including addressing health inequities, stigma, discrimination, or policy gaps

• One to two concrete examples of actions you may take as a DNP, such as leading quality improvement initiatives, influencing health policy, mentoring nurses, or developing community partnerships

5. Conclusion (short paragraph)

Summarize the essential elements of your philosophy of nursing practice. Reinforce how your beliefs, selected theories, and DNP role align to support patient-centered, socially responsive, and evidence-based nursing practice.

Developing a written philosophy of nursing practice at the doctoral level supports reflective integration of theory, ethics, and leadership into advanced clinical roles. Philosophical clarity strengthens a DNP’s capacity to navigate complex healthcare systems while maintaining a consistent commitment to patient advocacy and social responsibility. By grounding advanced practice in theoretical and ethical frameworks, DNP-prepared nurses are better positioned to influence care delivery, organizational culture, and health policy in ways that promote equity and quality outcomes (Watson, 2022).

Paper and Evidence Requirements

• 4–5 pages of narrative content, excluding title page and references

• Clear headings that mirror the required sections

• Scholarly, professional tone using the program’s required format

• Integration of recent, peer-reviewed sources, typically 5–8 references

Rubric Highlights (Typical Pattern)

Articulation of Personal Philosophy
Clear and coherent explanation of beliefs about person, health, environment, and nursing, aligned with professional values and DNP expectations (approximately 25%).

Integration of Theories
Accurate explanation of selected middle-range and interdisciplinary theories with clear linkage to philosophy and practice examples (approximately 30%).

DNP Role and Social Change
Strong connection between philosophy, theory, advanced practice, leadership, and advocacy for social change, supported by concrete examples (approximately 25%).

Organization and Scholarly Writing
Logical structure, effective use of headings, minimal writing errors, and appropriate use of current scholarly sources (approximately 20%).

References

• Bandura, A. (1997) Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. New York: W.H. Freeman.

• Kolcaba, K. (2003) Comfort Theory and Practice: A Vision for Holistic Health Care and Research. New York: Springer.

• Mishel, M.H. (1988) ‘Uncertainty in illness’, Image: The Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 20(4), pp. 225–232.

• Reed, P.G. (2019) Nursing Knowledge and Theory Innovation. New York: Springer Publishing.

• Walden University (2024) NURS 8114: Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Nursing – Course Resources. Walden University.

• Watson, J. (2022) Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring. Rev. edn. Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado.