Introduction
Interconnectedness is a principle that describes the intangible bond between different items. The meaning is developed as a connotation as items may not be physically connected but form a connection. The concept relates to the nature of how objects and phenomena exist. According to science, nothing exists in isolation; hence, the notion of interconnectedness is legitimate and a fundamental aspect of nature.
The concept was not a focus of interest in early medieval times, especially the 17th century, which relied on the philosophy of unity of all that exists. Medieval philosophers valued the dualism of phenomena regarding their separation and distinction instead of their interconnection. Interconnectedness upholds the recognition of the unique identities of objects but shows that they manifest a mutually connected existence.
Interconnectedness accepts the distinction of objects but regards them as inseparable, thus referring to them as non-duality. This definition aligns with the scientific and mystical viewpoint that everything in the universe is interconnected.
Value Clarification
Many civilizations acknowledge a unity that underpins and connects the diversity of forms in which everything and everyone is intertwined. The social web of life that sustains human life is connected to nature and dependent on social interactions. People are tied to their families, colleagues, and society, who rely on us for many things, including contentment.
The value of interconnectedness is the positive feeling that makes people act with goodwill toward others (Bahl-Milne, 2021). Humans are socially integrated; thus, separation breeds unhappy feelings. One values interconnectedness as it infuses positive energy with good qualities, including kindness and compassion. These universal qualities are demonstrated through interconnectedness as people easily make friends.
Human relations are difficult as people have different individual perspectives. However, our interconnection with others provides a ground to understand and grow individually. We stop the self-preservation thoughts and grow out of our egocentricity. Self-preservation thoughts can lead to purely individualistic thoughts that are harmful to humanity.
Our world gets polarized when people make decisions based on what benefits them without considering the ramifications of their actions toward others. People are so self-absorbed that empathy is reserved for close relatives and friends but harms social relations and interrelations. Humans aid those in need acknowledging that neighbors reciprocate the gesture in the long run because of our interconnectivity.
Interconnectedness Belief System
Interconnectedness has been vindicated in the past year as COVID-19 helped people discover how interrelated humans are. The pandemic highlighted the tension between our self-interest and independence as harmless activities had huge impacts on people’s lives. The pandemic showed the need to cooperate and work together in our families, workplaces, and communities. Interconnectedness stimulates the need to move beyond our ethnic barriers toward more comprehensive interdependence. This interconnectedness helps expand our reasoning and life, providing a broader context for a meaningful life. Positive connections breed sharing and friendship as we appreciate our understanding of others.
The practice of interconnectedness helps us look for ways to develop harmonious relationships with family, friends, and community. This interconnection helps restore harmony when disharmony arises as we recognize the need to consider how our actions affect others and helps us recognize that their needs are as important as ours. This interconnection belief makes us value cooperation and helps us discover ways to identify our individual talents. Interconnection with others helps us fully participate in life as we are more aware of our interrelationships. This leads to more connections centered around life and friendship.
We improve our ability to make friends and relate to others and recognize the importance of prioritizing the development of healthy relationships in all aspects of life, recognizing that this is the foundation for a happy life and society (Bahl-Milne, 2021). Establishing great relationships with family, friends, and coworkers should be prioritized before making decisions, planning, directing and aiding. We learn that exhibiting tolerance and respect can help us develop positive connections. Being a good listener allows us to get to know others and grasp their perspectives.
Metaparadigm in Nursing Practice
There is a profound interconnectedness of everything as plants, animals, humans, and all creations interdependently coexist. The four nursing meta paradigms include nursing responsibility, patient care, health, and environmental themes. These ideas ensure a holistic approach to healthcare by linking patient health to the four concepts. The nursing metaparadigm emphasizes the provision of quality healthcare to patients who are the focus of nursing concepts.
The ultimate goal of the nursing concept is to improve patient health through a reciprocal connection to nature to help in healing. The nursing concept, with its emphasis on essential humanity and human essentials, is thus concerned with the fundamental structures of being human, without which our human species would not survive in its current form. All caring, helping professions, such as nursing, have this as their central premise.
Positive connections are characterized by respect, friendliness, empathy, appreciation, and gratitude. Interpersonal relationships are essential for health promotion and sickness prevention; illness can deteriorate human ties. Relationships between healthcare professionals and patients are critical for maintaining proper human connections. Relationships between nurses and patients have been shown to influence patients’ health outcomes.
Empathy, advocacy, and responding to patients’ unmet needs exemplify excellent therapeutic partnerships. Patient-nurse relationships are enhanced when nurses introduce themselves, tell the patient about themselves, enhance the patient experience by ensuring their basic needs are met, and ensure one’s non-verbal communication rhymes with the patient, including making the patient laugh.
Environmental interconnectedness entails encompassing all social relations and communal spirituality. This focuses on how the surroundings affect the patient; thus, the emphasis should be on humanity. Interconnectedness raises fundamental existential problems about the meaning of life and human existence. It implies that the only way to find significance in life is through human relationships. Therefore, life quality depends on human relationships revealed in everyday dialogues.
Families and communities must work together to strengthen themselves in the interest of the sick. Environmental interactions must be ordered and harmonized to avoid illness and promote health. The focus is on the dynamic interconnectedness of all life as shown by human and ecological relationships, experiences, and behavior. The novel nursing concept highlighted in the text should be referred to as the interconnection theory of nursing practice.
Conclusion
Interconnectedness is a principle that describes the intangible bond between different items. Many cultures recognize a oneness that underlies and interlinks the diversity of forms where everything and everyone is interconnected and interdependent. The practice of interconnectedness helps us look for ways to develop harmonious relationships with family, friends, and community. The metaparadigm in nursing practice entails delivering optimal health outcomes for patients through a mutual connection in a safe and caring environment, referring to the interconnection theory of nursing practice.
Reference
Bahl-Milne, S. (2021). How we can all thrive in an interconnected world.Mindful daily practices.