Running head: MY NURSING PHILOSOPHY AND HOW IT RELATES TO ME 1

My Nursing Philosophy and How it Relates to Me

Troy A Davis
Dixie State University


MY NURSING PHILOSOPHY AND HOW IT RELATES TO ME 2
My Nursing Philosophy and How it Relates to Me
There are many theories of nursing that are available today, involving many areas within
the science community. The era of nursing theory began in the 1970s. It was not until recently
that Florence Nightingales theory was recognized as a true nursing theory. Over the years
theories have been developed to explain or describe aspects of nursing. Three major contributors
include Florence Nightingale, Jean Watson, and Dorothea Orem. Taylor, Lissis, LeMore, and
Lynn (2011) alluded that Florence focused her attention on the environment, Watson was caring
and had ten Caritas, and Orems focus was on the idea that people want to care for themselves,
also known as self-care deficit theory. Although each of these nursing theories have a different
area of focus, all include these four important concepts: environment, patient, health, and nurse.
This paper will travel through these key philosophers and investigate why Orems theory most
closely resembles the beliefs of the author.
Life Events
This students philosophy of nursing has been molded over the years by life experiences.
These nursing philosophies appear to build on each other, as in the beginning the most important
aspect of nursing revolved around the environment and its impact on the patient. Once that was
mitigated, it was imperative that the aspect of caring was included. Now it is essential to focus
on self-care deficits, patients need to take responsibility for their care. However, it does not seem
possible that one can exist without the other if nursing is going to continue to evolve as a
profession. Until 2009 this student did not spend much time in a hospital setting, even though he
was an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Conversely, when diagnosed with Hodgkins
lymphoma in 2009, more time was spent in the hospital setting. Throughout procedures it was
noticed that Intermountain Healthcare facilities were very clean and the care received was
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unforgettable. The nursing staff was very compassionate as they cared for this student and his
family. They were respectful of the situation and actively participated in conversations, which
displayed a non-judgmental compassionate attitude. All staff members treated each person as an
individual; they recognized that each patients needs varied and adapted their care accordingly.
The nursing staff was able to identify areas where this student needed assistance and those areas
that could be accomplished on his own. They allowed for independence and advocated for this
patients wishes to maintain a life of independence at work and at home. This idea of autonomy
was difficult for those around this patient to understand, but the nurses maintained the need for
autonomy.
Current Philosophy
Even though each of the nursing theories has a major contribution to care, this student
sees the philosophy of Dorothea Orem as the one that best fits into the care he received during
the most serious aspect of his illness and treatment. It is the goal of this student nurse to provide
great care and help patients to regain functioning at their highest level of self-care. This could
mean encouraging the patient to make decisions about their care or help them with activities of
daily living. It is the nurses responsibility to provide care that enables each patient to provide
their highest level of functioning, and this is accomplished through education, caring, and being
a presence in their lives. This process is not always fast; sometimes it takes time and patience to
reach the end state. According to Bernier (2002) Orems theory provides the framework for
consistent nursing care. There is a great deal of gratification when a nurse does not encourage a
patient to rely on them for their needs, as it gives the patient autonomy, which can improve moral
and speed up recovery times.

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Conclusion
Each one of these theorists has had great impact on the field of nursing. While
investigating nursing theorists this student was able to delve into each one and determine which
theorist best molded his beliefs. The four aspects that each theory needs to contain are,
environment, patient, health, and a nurse. However, in order to care for patients, the nurses must
first care for themselves. With a clean environment and caring nurses, it opens up the possibility
for the nurse to demonstrate care that allows the patient to function at their greatest potential.
This type of care has a great influence on patients lives. That is where a nurse comes in to caring
for a patient and why it is this students philosophy best identifies with the theory by Dorothea
Orem.

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References
Bernier, F. (2002). Applying Orem's self-care deficit theory of nursing to continence care: Part 2.
Urologic Nursing, 22(6), 384-90. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/220151734?accountid=27045
Taylor, C., Lillis, C., LeMone, P., & Lynn, P. (2011). Theory, Research, and Evidence-Based
Practice. In Fundamentals of nursing: The art and science of nursing care (7th ed.).
Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.