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Running Head: TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Module 1 Activity 1
Teaching Philosophy
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Presented to
Dr. Eva Stephens

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

MEDICAL BRANCH at GALVESTON
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In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Course
GNRS 5312 Learning Environment
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By
Natalia Samuels RN, BSN
May 24, 2015

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I have always believed that teaching students is more than the presentation of information
and having the student regurgitate what I have said. I already know the information but the goal
is to make sure my students know it, feel it and believe in it. With that being said it is my desire
to breath life into the knowledge that I am giving each one of my students. By gone is the era of
teaching and learning where students are vessels that must be filled to the brim with words,
phrases, and concepts that are devoid of meaning. The question I want each student to ponder is:
How does what I am learning bring meaning to my life and enhance my professional and
academic growth? At the end of this course I will be pleased and absolutely proud to know the
responses of my students to that question!
The driving force that has influenced my philosophy of teaching and learning is shaped
by the Human Caring/Caring Science theory developed by Jean Watson. This theory was
developed in the mid to late 1970s. In the early stages of this theory Watson was mainly
concerned with finding common meaning and providing order to nursing that can cross all areas
of life, professions, organizations, and people (Watson, n.d.). The theory has since evolved over
the past 40 years to include several levels of personal development that encourage individuals to
practice and inculcate caring behaviors into who they are and thus provide genuine loving
kindness to all they help and serve in the community (Watson, n.d.). This theory in my opinion
represents a large portion of what nursing is all about. Nursing is driven by evidence based
practice but also is uniquely humanistic, a quality that is not shared by many other professions.
It is my responsibility to be certain each student is alway aware of the purpose and science
behind nursing theory, quite simply put why we do what we do and how it is applicable in patient
care and our interactions with them. However, I must emphasize the importance of never

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forgetting the human aspect of nursing. Nurses dont need to be taught how to care that is a trait
that many if not all of us are born with. What I mean by born is how ever we are introduced
to nursing, we are all called to care for others. But it takes a special commitment and a desire to
help that trait grow and flourish in a world that, at times, appears unconcerned with the welfare
of other.
If I can provide a caring and healing environment that is supportive of each students
personal, professional, and spiritual growth then I believe that all of us will be successful in this
journey together. As we move forward together, I hope the learning that takes place will be
organic, holistic, and more over help each person evolve and reach a higher level of self
actualization. In conclusion, I welcome each one of you to my course and look forward to
growing and learning from you all as much as I hope you learn from me.

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TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Reference
Watson, J. (n.d.). Jean Watsons Theory of Human Caring. Retrieved from http://
watsonibb.erciyes.edu.tr/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/3312_Ch18_321-340.pdf