- AACN Essentials of nursing education
- the core principles and competencies set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for each level of nursing education
- adaptation theory
- a theory that focuses on the dynamic process of adaptation that individuals undergo in response to changes in their environment
- advocate
- an individual who actively and vocally supports, defends, or promotes the rights, interests, and well-being of another person or a group
- American Nurses Association (ANA)
- one of the largest and most influential professional nursing organizations in the United States
- associate degree in nursing (ADN)
- a two-year program offered by various educational institutions that is designed to prepare individuals for a career as a registered nurse (RN)
- assumption
- a foundational belief or proposition that is accepted without direct empirical evidence
- autonomy
- an individual’s ability to make decisions and determine courses of actions based on being well informed, giving consent, and volunteering without coercion
- bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)
- comprehensive four-year degree program designed to prepare individuals for a career as a registered nurse (RN)
- beneficence
- ethical principle that underscores the obligation to do good and promote the well-being of patients
- board of nursing (BON)
- a regulatory body tasked with overseeing the practice of nursing within its jurisdiction, typically a state or territory
- career development
- a broad spectrum of activities aimed at advancing a nurse’s professional trajectory
- caregiver
- an individual who provides physical, emotional, or practical support to individuals in need of assistance due to illness, disability, age-related challenges, or other conditions that impact their ability to perform daily activities independently
- caring
- concept of providing compassionate and empathetic attention to individuals
- clinical judgment
- utilizing nursing knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning, drawing from evidence, theories, and interdisciplinary insights to make informed and patient-centered decisions
- code of ethics
- comprehensive set of principles that defines the ethical responsibilities and standards for an individual or a group
- communicator
- an individual who engages in the process of conveying information, ideas, or messages to others
- concept
- an idea that serves as a foundational element of a theory, contributing to its overall structure and coherence
- concrete
- representing specific and tangible ideas or objects that can be directly observed or experienced
- confidentiality
- maintaining patient privacy in terms of health and personal information
- continuing education (CE)
- ongoing educational activities
- decision-maker
- an individual or entity responsible for making choices or reaching conclusions in a particular context
- definition
- a clear and precise explanation of the meaning of a concept or term
- descriptive theory
- a theory that aims to systematically and objectively describe phenomena
- developmental theory
- a theory that is influenced by broader theories of human development and that explores the stages and transitions individuals go through across the life span
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- a practice-focused doctoral degree that emphasizes advanced clinical practice, leadership in healthcare systems, and evidence-based decision-making
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing
- a research-focused doctoral degree that emphasizes the generation of new nursing knowledge through rigorous scientific inquiry
- domain
- a broad and overarching area of theoretical exploration or study
- educator
- an individual who engages in the process of facilitating teaching and learning
- electronic health record (EHR)
- a digital version of a patient’s medical history, maintained and shared by multiple providers
- electronic medical record (EMR)
- a digital version of a patient’s medical history, maintained and used by a single provider
- environment domain
- the surroundings, context, and external factors that influence a person’s well-being
- experiential knowledge
- practical knowledge acquired through direct engagement and hands-on experiences
- general systems theory
- the theory that any system, including a healthcare system or an individual patient, can be viewed as a complex organization of interacting and interrelated components
- hard skills
- technical and clinical competencies
- health domain
- a dynamic and holistic concept that encompasses the overall well-being of the person, not just the absence of illness or disease
- herbalists
- individuals with specific knowledge of herbal remedies and healing practices
- holism
- concept that individuals should be viewed and treated as whole beings
- holistic care
- a care approach that considers the whole entity, encompassing the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of an individual patient
- in-service education
- ongoing training initiatives provided within healthcare institutions
- International Council of Nurses (ICN)
- a worldwide federation of national nursing associations
- licensed practical nurse (LPN)
- a graduate of a practical nursing program, possessing the skills and knowledge required for entry-level positions in health care and a passing score on the national licensing examination; synonymous with licensed vocational nurse (LVN)
- licensed vocational nurse (LVN)
- a graduate of a practical nursing program, possessing the skills and knowledge required for entry-level positions in health care and a passing score on the national licensing examination; synonymous with licensed practical nurse (LPN)
- manager of care
- directing and overseeing the comprehensive delivery of healthcare services
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- an advanced graduate degree that provides nurses with a higher level of education and specialization in various areas of nursing practice
- metaparadigm
- a set of overarching concepts and principles that provides a comprehensive framework for understanding a particular discipline or field of study
- nonmaleficence
- ethical principle that emphasizes the obligation to do no harm intentionally
- nursing
- a profession that encompasses the art and science of providing comprehensive and holistic care to promote and maintain health, prevent illness, and alleviate suffering for individuals, families, and communities
- nursing domain
- a fundamental and central concept that defines the unique role, purpose, and responsibilities of the nursing profession
- nursing metaparadigm
- a conceptual framework that encompasses four fundamental concepts (person, health, environment, and nursing) central to the discipline of nursing
- nursing philosophy
- the compass that guides a nurse’s practice, encompassing beliefs about the nature of nursing, patient care, ethical considerations, and the nurse’s role within the healthcare system
- nursing practice
- the application of nursing knowledge, skills, and principles in the delivery of health care to individuals, families, and communities
- nursing theorist
- an individual, typically a nurse with advanced education and experience, who has made significant contributions to the development of nursing theory
- nursing theory
- a structured and systematic framework composed of concepts, principles, and propositions that collectively guide and shape the understanding of nursing practice
- person domain
- the central focus of nursing philosophy, involving the patient or client
- phenomenon
- a specific aspect of interest or an observable occurrence that is the focus of theoretical exploration and study
- philosophy
- the exploration of fundamental questions about existence, values, and the human experience through critical inquiry and reflection
- prescriptive theory
- a theory that provides guidance on how nursing care should be conducted
- professional nursing organization
- collective body formed by nurses to represent and advocate for the interests of the nursing profession
- Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
- a collaborative effort to advance and promote the integration of quality and safety competencies into nursing education and practice
- reflective skill
- process of examining and evaluating one’s own experiences and learning from them
- registered nurse (RN)
- a licensed graduate of a nursing program, capable of a broad scope of practice that includes assessing patients, planning care, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals on complex cases
- scope of practice
- defined limits and parameters within which a professional is authorized to work, make decisions, and provide services
- self-care
- intentional actions and practices that individuals engage in to promote their physical, mental, and emotional well-being
- soft skills
- interpersonal abilities and personal attributes
- specialty certification
- official recognition of a nurse’s expertise in a particular area of nursing
- Standards of Practice
- standards designed by the ANA and based on the nursing process that provides a problem-solving-focused approach to nursing practice
- theoretical knowledge
- knowledge that is based on established theories and concepts
- theory
- a framework of related ideas intended to guide and support action