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Personal Philosophy of Nursing Nursing is a profession that I aspired to be a part of because nurses represent the very core of love, compassion, and caring. When I began working as a Supervisor in a Skilled Nursing Facility, I then developed my personal philosophy and set of values regarding nursing care. “Philosophy is defined as the study of the principles underlying conduct, thought, and the nature of the universe. A simple explanation of philosophy is that it entails a search for meaning in the universe” (Chitty & Black, 2007, p. 19). As a health care provider, I believe that the core of nursing embodies the integration of abstract nursing knowledge, behavioral and natural science, the humanities, and the arts. All of these attributes, plus humanity toward other people, help shape compassionate, respectful behavior, and effective nursing care. My goal in providing nursing care is to use my comprehension, competencies and skills to provide care to patients to enhance physical condition, comfort and quality of life.
The unique values and beliefs that differentiate and define people all impact the ways people experience and relate to one another. One huge challenge in the nursing field is how to integrate properly our own values and beliefs into professional practice. “Professional values are standards for actions accepted by the practitioner and professional group that provide a framework influencing the behavior of the group” (Kubsch, Hansen, & Huyser-Eatwell, 2008, p. 1).
Identifying the values which are most important will significantly influence an individual’s nursing performance. The elements on core values of nursing are diversity, integrity, caring, and quality. I believe nursing must consider a patient’s needs and value the person as a unique individual while treating the person with respect and dignity. The quality of the potential relationship connecting a patient and nurse represents opportunity to discover and display individual ethics.
Delivering nursing care requires technical knowledge and skill; a nurse must apply all of the technical resources at his or her disposal to facilitate an optimum environment for therapeutic care and well-being. A caring worldview and a desire to provide quality compassionate care and comfort all foster an environment advantageous to patient health. I believe the key focus of nursing is to help advance, expand, support and facilitate health for our patients and for their families, as well. My personal goal as a nurse is to mplement the values that I embrace in everything I do. I am responsible for my procedures and patient relationships. I will continue to advance my concept of professional nursing through my ongoing education and practice throughout my entire life. I will provide my patients and their families with the best care I can possible provide. Toward that end, to live out my philosophy of nursing, every day I must remember: 1. my patients are unique individuals worthy of respect, dignity, and compassion. 2.
My patients’ families are an extension of my patients and fundamentally a part of their environment and life, all of which shapes and impacts patient health. 3. My fellow health care professionals are unique individuals with differing skill-sets, backgrounds, life experiences, and a vital component of a team of health care providers delivering care to patients and their families. 4. My own health is an important consideration in demonstrating effective lifestyle choices as well as a consideration in my ability to deliver my best value to my patients, their families, and to the health care facility in which I provide care.
References Chitty, K. , & Black, B. P. (2007). Professional Nursing: Concepts and Challenges (5th ed. ). Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders. Kubsch, S. , Hansen, G. , & Huyser-Eatwell, V. (2008). Professional values: the case for RN-BSN completion education. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. p. 1.