Environment as a Phenomenon in Nursing - Essay Example

Culture, in this case is defined as being the belief and norms and practices that govern life of a group of people (Leininger, 1978, 1985b from Leininger, 1988). Cultural care and universality was identified as being the missing link between the nursing profession and what was actually done in practice (Leininger, 1988). Creating an environment that is culturally acceptable for a patient will lead to a better experience in the hospital (Shaner, n.d.) One of the most important landmarks in the profession of nursing was the establishment of theories to guide the nursing profession and provide the framework for this profession (Leininger, 1988).

The concept of ‘care’ as put forth by Leininger was accepted and wrought into the framework of the theories that guide the nursing profession (Shaner, n.d; Leininger, 1988).The theory of care is now a firm fixture in the nursing profession. Nursing students are taught to emphasize on ‘caring’ and accept that being sensitive to a person’s culture will lessen the gap between healthcare professionals and the patients they treat (Leininger, 1988).To conclude, Leininger came up with the concept of caring in the nursing practice which includes the ideas that understanding the culture and environment that a person comes from is vital in providing care.

These ideas have now been firmly accepted into the nursing profession and students are taught these guidelines.