My personal philosophy of nursing is that we as nurses work as part of a collaborative

team to constantly improve and maintain the health and wellness of individuals, families,
populations and communities. Loving care for the individual reflects Christs love and is
motivated by Christs love forthe individual and us. By blessing the individual, all the families of
the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12-3). Therefore, by nursing care being focused on the
individual the communities and all humanity can benefit.
To do this we need knowledge and skills. However, knowledge itself is not enough,
application of this knowledge in clinical settings is crucial to providing competent high quality
care. This involves critical thinking, which is a crucial element of nursing care. Nurses must
interpret medical, social, environmental, and other patient information and prioritize their
individual patients priorities as well as prioritized their overall patient load. Without critical
thinking and
prioritization of skills a nurse's knowledge is near useless.
Nurses act as patient care advocates within the interdisciplinary team. Bedside manner is
a large part of being a patient advocate. The nurse needs to develop trust and a working
relationship with patients in order to truly advocate for them. Nurses accept the patients point of
view and respects their view and right to autonomy. I believe that the
patient has a right to make their own choices and we need to respect these descions they may
make and support them. While I think it is near impossible to develop culturally competence, I
can work on cultural humility. This applies to beliefs as well as practices,which can include
complimentary and alternative medicines and treatments. Nurses use evidence based practice and
incorporate research into the care they provide on a micro level to patients and on a macro level

in developing standards and protocols. This allows them to continually provide the highest
quality of care possible.
A competent nurse keeps current with literature and research findings so he/she can apply
it to practice. Nurses are responsible for participating in and generating research and improving
the field itself, as well as upholding the standards and ethics of the field.