What is the relevance of philosophy to nursing?

to better understand the patient how S/he is thinking or perceiving things

makes you think critically.Watch House on HBO youll see what I mean?

I kinda thought of this question when I was in college. Well, one thing both disciplines (philosophy and nursing) deal with knowledge. Philosophy is devoted to the systematic examination of basic concepts such as truth, existence, reality, causality, and freedom. These are basic things in a human's life. Studies about humans, basically, consists the knowledge base of nursing science. In this way, philosophy is relevant to nursing.

Philosophy is relevant to all people who choose to live and are therefore required to think and choose wisely what they should believe and do. As a nurse you will be helping other people, some of whom are depending on your rationality and good judgment for their survival and well being. You will require and in the process earn and thereby be able to deliver love, care and kindness both for yourself and for those to whom you provide what you have to offer. Philosophy is the love of wisdom. and without that, what can you hope to give or receive in what must be a mutually beneficial relationship for the good of all involved? Your philosophy is what determines your choices and governs your actions. We all have one. Learn what it is and you will learn to understand yourself and those with whom you associate.

Nursing as a distinct discipline has a philosophical foundation. By philosophical foundation is meant affirmations regarding authority(epistemology), reality(metaphysics) and morality(ethics).