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Running head: NURSING PHILOSOPHY

Nursing Philosophy
University of New Hampshire
November 9, 2015

Running head: NURSING PHILOSOPHY

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Abstract

This paper presents my nursing philosophy that is based heavily on my personal beliefs
about the most significant aspects of a successful nurse. The information provided is based on
basic knowledge that I have learned in my beginning nursing classes, as well practices that I
have observed and applied during my clinical rotation in a long-term care facility. The paper
focuses on the multiplicity of relationships that a nurse must maintain and how these
relationships are interrelated and vital to providing effective nursing care. I recognize that my
philosophy is dynamic in nature and that it must be adapted over time as my beliefs, education,
and competence transform through experience.

Running head: NURSING PHILOSOPHY

One of my favorite sayings has always been Maya Angelous quote that reads, they may
forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel (as cited in Jonae-Ryan,
2014). While writing the application letter for the University of New Hampshire nursing school,
I felt that this quote accurately represented how I would approach the career of nursing. I
researched Angelous words and was in awe to find that the full quotation begins with the
following statement: As a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the heart, mind, soul and body
of our patients, their families and ourselves (as cited in Jonae-Ryan, 2014). These beautiful
words portray the critical aspect of relationships in nursing, which include nurse/patient,
nurse/community, and nurse/self. These relationships collectively revolve around care, which is
a multifaceted emotion that includes a mental and active component, which work synergistically.
A nurse must form genuine relationships with individuals, communities, and his or herself, in
order to adequately care for and attend to a patients specific needs. Comprehensive knowledge
about a patients situation elicits the mental aspect of care from a nurse and consequently the
nurses caring actions come from a genuine place. Patients have the ability to sense if a nurse
performs care as an obligation, or as a sincere effort to promote healing; the latter has more
positive patient outcomes. Active care makes the patient feel safe in his or her environment. I
affirm Angelous testimony that a nurses role in promoting healing and health is an opportunity,
rather than an obligation. This unique opportunity provokes excitement and passion within me
as I enter into the field of nursing with the intent to make a difference in patients lives, as they
make a difference in my life as well.
The intricate relationships that a nurse creates allow for him or her to apply a holistic
approach to healthcare, which incorporates aspects including but not limited to, a patients
spirituality, culture, emotional state, and medical diagnosis. I view health as a relative concept

Running head: NURSING PHILOSOPHY

and I firmly believe that a medical diagnosis does not have to dictate a patients overall health. If
the patient remains happy and the providers create interventions that align with the patients
morals, values, and needs, then the medical diagnosis becomes less important. The nurses role
is to provide individualistic care to the patient that induces comfort. Comfort directly influences
health because the more comfortable the patient is, the more the patients mind and body focuses
on recovery. I feel as though all of the patients efforts should be focused on reaching his or her
optimum level of health, as independently as possible. The nurse is expected to provide care that
instills a sense of support and uphold the patients dignity throughout the process. The nurse
must reinforce the patients self-efficacy, as confidence and a positive mindset are major
determinants of an individuals health.
A successful nurse must use effective communication to advocate for his or her patient in
order to develop a trusting, reciprocal, and cooperative relationship. A patient is any individual
or group of individuals whose health is compromised, for whom a nurse provides care. The
nurse is present to learn about all facets of the patients health, assess the patient, and from there,
develop a unique plan of care with the patient. The comprehensive assessment should give
insight into the social determinants that constitute the patients overall health, which include
areas such as, age, gender, socioeconomic status, community networks, culture, and education.
The patients concerns and anxieties about his or her health in concert with the nurses
assessment should guide the nurses when providing care. Standard procedures and policies
must be followed, such as administering medications, but the nurse must reinforce the
nurse/patient relationship by prioritizing issues that the patient may present with on assessment
or voice to the nurse. In order for the nurse to provide optimal care for the patient, this person or
group of people must be truthful in sharing information and concerns with the nurse, facilitating

Running head: NURSING PHILOSOPHY

a relationship based on open and honest communication. This being said, the patient is in an
extremely vulnerable state and may be uncooperative or negative towards the nurse. The nurse
must not let the patients reactions dictate the level of care that he or she provides. I realize that
a nurse must consider the fact that all humans deserve healthcare and that all humans react
differently in stressful, traumatic situations.
A positive environment directly correlates with positive health outcomes in patient care.
The environment in which the nurse interacts with other healthcare providers, patients, and
family members must be supportive to every person involved. As I mentioned previously, the
patient, as well as the patients family members, can sense if his or her care is genuine based on
the attitude of the provider. This can impact the patients health in a positive or negative way, as
an individual who feels supported and safe by the environment can focus his or her energy on
recovery rather than worrying about receiving inadequate care. Patients have the ability to
influence the working environment as well. He or she may do so negatively, but the provider is
expected to preserve the positive environment, while addressing the patients concerns. An
environment where the patient feels safe fosters open communication between him or her and the
nurse or other provider. It is essential for nurses to establish positive relationships with
coworkers in order to create a friendly, collaborative atmosphere. Organization, cleanliness, and
a cooperative, positive staff create an environment that facilitates healing.
In order to be successful in his or her career, a nurse must make the unwavering
commitment to lifelong learning. Nursing theories are derived from research on evidence-based
practices, which utilize statistics in order to determine the best method to approach a problem or
perform a procedure. These theories are in place so that nurses have a base for their
interventions and a way to evaluate the efficacy of the interventions. I recognize the importance

Running head: NURSING PHILOSOPHY

of maintaining my openness to learning and constant curiosity throughout my career as a nurse in


order to continuously increase my competence, as there is always room for personal growth and
improvement. Learning also requires a nurse to be flexible. I may need to alter an intervention
if I learn why it is not working for my patient specifically. Nursing is constant planning and replanning, based on new evidence and developments. Reflection is crucial to my nursing
practice, as it allows me to learn from all experiences, positive or negative. Nurses are perpetual
learners, whether it is learning about a patient, a new way to perform a procedure, or about his or
herself as an individual. Therefore, as a nurse, my personal philosophy will never be static; it
will update and transform regularly as a result of new experiences in the field and further
education.
I employ my intrinsic morals and values in order to guide my personal nursing
experiences. As clich as it may sound, I find great value in the rule that states, treat others the
way you would like to be treated. I strive and will strive to preserve my patients dignity and
self-worth. This is especially significant in the long-term care setting that my clinical takes place
in, as I do my best to use empathy and put myself in the patients position when helping them
perform tasks. This moral precept ties into the idea of fostering equality. Although it is essential
to treat patients as unique individuals, a nurse must never let any personal biases about any
aspect of the patient hinder the level of care that he or she provides. As a nurse I will provide
exemplary, personalized care to all individuals, even if I fundamentally disagree with everything
that the patient does or believes in. The idea of beneficence is integral to my nursing philosophy,
as I believe that all interactions, whether it is a quick conversation or an invasive procedure, must
be in the best interest of the patient. This concept is ingrained into my practice and will help

Running head: NURSING PHILOSOPHY

nurture my relationships with patients, as they will trust me and feel confident in my ability to
advocate for their needs.
As I begin my career as a nursing student my thoughts and feelings about nursing stem
from my fundamental academic knowledge and minimal clinical experience, which will continue
to expand and alter my philosophy on nursing. As I continue to work with patients and observe
other nurses in practice I will adapt my philosophy, based on evidence. Nursing appealed to me
as a career originally, as I find joy in other individuals accomplishments and my practice in the
clinical field up to this point has solidified this sentiment. I will strive to maintain a positive
outlook as I encounter issues and use my struggles to constantly improve my approach to and
views on nursing. As a nurse, I will make it my mission to provide patients and their families
with the dignity, kindness, and respect that they deserve by applying my evolving nursing
philosophy in practice.

Running head: NURSING PHILOSOPHY

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References

Jonae-Ryan, S. (2014, March 8). 4 inspirational quotes that nurses value [Web log post].
Retrieved from http://www.fortis.edu/blog/nursing/4-inspirational-quotes-that-nursesvalue/

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