Personal Philosophy of Nursing
As a nurse, developing philosophy is key to understanding one’s expectations and using this information to offer the best care to patients. Nursing revolves around providing care to patients, utilizing the available data, showing respect to others, honesty, and being compassionate (Scott et al., 2014). I firmly believe that the profession is not only a career but also a calling to help and care for others. My take is that nurses should not work for the paycheck alone. Instead, the principles of providing care to those in need regardless of their spiritual beliefs, financial status, race, or lifestyle should guide them.
I believe that nurses bear the responsibility of providing safe, patient-centered, and holistic care to the public regardless of affiliation. In achieving the mentioned goal in care-delivery, it is critical to use evidence-based practices and apply clinical judgment (Black, 2016). Patients are key people in the healthcare system. Without them, there is no nursing profession. Nurses should play a crucial role in educating and empowering patients and family members to become active partners in the provision of care. It is critical for nurses to update themselves with the current skills and knowledge to offer the best care. They can achieve that through incremental and perpetual learning.
Primarily, my philosophy is based on three key factors- the individual, society, and environment. People are concerned about their overall well-being (Scott et al., 2014). Their welfare does not revolve around themselves but extends to the people they relate and connect within the society. Different people have varying beliefs and perspectives hence the need for patient-centered care. Regarding society, people with similar goals and ideas form a society, for instance, people in a hospital ward may be considered as a society. The environment within which one lives has a significant impact on health and general well-being. This not only entails the physical surroundings such as home structures but also encompasses the internal environment such as mental awareness (Black, 2016). Aspects such as spiritual awareness, thoughts about the current situations, and emotions are essential in patient-care. The patient receiving nursing care is not the sole recipient. Other parties such as family members, friends, other healthcare service providers, and even the clergy are all impacted by nursing care. As a nurse, it is critical to note that any person that interacts with the nursing process is affected, either negatively or positively.
Health is important in society, hence should be promoted. It is the physical, social, and mental well-being of a person (Black, 2016). Additionally, it is the basis of living a meaningful life. To me, health does not only mean the absence of a disease but also entails the ability to recover from illness as well as other problems. A disease is an abnormal condition affecting a person. Such a situation may result from infection, trauma, or toxic exposure. Essentially, this is what needs to be treated. Illness is the feeling that may be accompanied by disease. For instance, pain, weakness, distress, and fatigue are illnesses that may, but not always, signify the presence of a disease.
Nurses exist to help patients and those connected to them, to lead a meaningful and painless life by offering honest, patient-centered, and quality care. As nurses, it is vital to uphold both professional and personal ethical standards at all times. Sometimes, patient’s beliefs and those of patients may conflict. In such cases, it is important to seek advice from mentors such as colleagues, on the best way to solving the stand-offs. Knowing that I have to provide quality care to patients is what keeps me going every day.
References
Black, B. (2016). Professional nursing-e-book: Concepts & challenges. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Scott, P. A., Matthews, A., & Kirwan, M. (2014). What is nursing in the 21st century and what does the 21st-century health system require of nursing?. Nursing Philosophy, 15(1), 23-34.