Nursing Philosophy and Nursing Theory: A Comparison of the Concepts of the Nursing Metaparadigm of Nursing with the Personal Philosophy and Theory of Madeleine M. Leininger Developing a Personal Philosophy of Nursing and patient care is essential to the development of every nurse. Developing a personal philosophy begins in nursing school. Nurses incorporate our personal beliefs into our nursing practice, and as we grow and mature as nurses and human beings, our philosophy changes. Exposure to new beliefs, cultural differences, and seeking the perspectives of a variety of nursing theorists help nurses develop an expansion of their philosophy with the culture of nursing. Purpose The purpose of this article is to explore this author's personal philosophy with that of nursing theorist Madeleine M. Leininger. Compare the philosophy of this author and Madeleine M. Leininger with the nursing metaparadigm model and discuss the impact of the similarities on nursing practice. The metaparadigm model consists of evaluating and examining the four distinct aspects of person, environment, health and nursing. These are important concepts in nursing, and nursing theories contain most or all of these ideals (Chitty, 2007, p. 329). Person is used to describe the individual and the systems and subsystems that make that individual unique. It encompasses a framework of intrinsic qualities, social, spiritual, cultural, and environmental influences that are the foundation of the human individual (Chitty, 2007, p. 294). The environmental conditions surrounding individuals influence a person's state of well-being. They include the social and cultural aspects present in the lives of individuals (Chitty, 2007...... half of the document ......ol at both the baccalaureate and associate degree levels. If each nursing student submitted a document on a different culture and a basis could be established for providing culturally congruent care. Works CitedChitty, K.K. (2007 Professional Nursing Concepts and Challenges: Saunders.Clarke, P.N. (2009). , 233-239. Creasia, J.L. (2011) Conceptual Foundations The Bridge to Professional Nursing and Practice St. Louis: Mosby, M. (2002). and Theoretical Concerns: Response from Cultural Nursing Diversity Theory and Universality Perspective of Nursing Science Quarterly, Volume 20, Issue). 1 , 9-13.