Guest Contributor: Rachell Nguyen
PhD student in nursing, Texas Woman’s University
Nursing professional development specialist, evidence-based practice, research, and nursing practice, Harris Health

As a newly registered nurse (RN) on a post-surgical oncology floor, I recall how my hands trembled while administering morning medications to one of my patients. My patient smiled at me and tried to ease my anxiety by congratulating me on “a great job.” Looking back, I wonder, “Why was I so nervous about giving medications to my patient when they verified I did it correctly?” In technical terms, I performed my job well as an RN that day by administering medications based on the knowledge I gained in nursing school. I did not realize it then, but my anxiety may have come from not fully understanding the complex dynamics of medication administration, such as the pharmacological reasons and effects of certain medications. Since that day, I have often pondered that dilemma. Could it be that I recognized nursing as not just “doing” the job right but “knowing” as well? This leads me to ask, “What is nursing? Is nursing just a job, or is it a way of knowing to do our job?”

Nursing is both practical and philosophical. Florence Nightingale, regarded as the founder of modern nursing, emphasized the importance of environmental management, patient-centered care, and the use of data to improve outcomes (Dossey et al., 2016). In the early 20th century, nursing theory expanded the profession’s intellectual foundation: Henderson highlighted the nurse’s role in assisting patients to achieve independence, Peplau emphasized therapeutic relationships, and Rogers introduced a holistic, energy-based view of the human being (Alligood, 2017). These contributions reflect that nursing definitions are dynamic, shaped by cultural contexts, societal needs, and advances in science and healthcare delivery.

However, nursing remains challenging because of public misconceptions, blurred boundaries with medical roles, and limited representation of nurses in leadership and policy (George, 2011). Rapidly growing healthcare technologies, such as telehealth and artificial intelligence (AI), complicate professional identity (Watson, 2008). These challenges offer opportunities for nurses to shape our identity through theory, practice, and scholarship (Carper, 1978). Articulating what nursing is and advocating for its distinct knowledge base enables us to influence policy, advance evidence-based practice, and strengthen our role in healthcare delivery (Alligood, 2017).

I see nursing as both an art and a science, rooted in caring, ethics, and specialized knowledge (Watson, 2008; Carper, 1978). Its meaning is flexible, changing with philosophical ideas, cultural influences, and societal demands (George, 2011). Recognizing nurses’ unique roles encourages reflection on individual and collective professional identity. By blending theory, practice, and scholarship, nurses keep shaping the field, making sure it stays relevant and adaptable to evolving healthcare environments (Alligood, 2017; Dossey, 2010). Understanding “what nursing is” gives us the power to provide holistic, ethical, and evidence-based care while pushing the profession forward.

References

Alligood, M. R. (2017). Nursing theorists and their work (9th ed.). Elsevier.

Carper, B. A. (1978). Fundamental patterns of knowing in nursing. Advances in Nursing Science, 1(1), 13–23.

Dossey, B. M. (2009). Florence Nightingale: Mystic, visionary, healer (Standard ed.). F.A. Davis.

George, J. B. (2011). Nursing theories: The base for professional nursing practice (6th ed.). Pearson.

Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The philosophy and science of caring (Rev. ed.). University Press of Colorado.

About Rachell Nguyen

Greetings! I work full time as a nursing professional development specialist (NPDS) in evidence-based practice (EBP), research, and nursing practice. Additionally, I practice as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) part time. Since 2006, I’ve worked as a registered nurse (RN) and became an FNP in 2012. I obtained a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2018 to ensure I practiced nursing with the utmost expertise. I am pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) to strengthen my understanding of research. My professional passions include improving the quality of patient care; population health; EBP and research; patient and staff education; nurse empowerment; nurse advocacy; and diabetes and prediabetes management.