Nursing Philosophy

Nursing Philosophy
Cheryl Combs
Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

I pledge

Nursing Philosophy
The American Nurses Association defines nursing as the protection, promotion
and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness or injury, facilitation of
healing, alleviation of suffer from diagnosis, treatment of humans, advocacy in the care
of individuals or groups of people and communities (nursingworld.com, 2016). In my
opinion, nursing is providing care for individuals physically, mentally and emotionally.
Every nurse views their career differently and over time, many times without realizing,
they develop a personal nursing philosophy that directs how they provide care, interact
with patients, patients families and collegues.
Bon Secours nursing practice model is rooted in Jean Watsons theory in which
the art of the science of caring is balances compassion and healing with quality and
competent care (bonsecours.com, 2016). Watsons theory consist of ten caritas; the
three that I have adopted into my own personal philosophy are develop helping-trusting
relationships, perform teaching and learning that is individualized for each patient and
their learning needs, lastly assist with physical, emotional and spiritual needs- treat the
person as a whole being.
Henderson and Benner are two other theorist that relate to modern practice.
Hendersons theory focuses on assisting the patient to gain independence based on 14
basic needs (Masters, 2017). I try to encourage my patients to assist me with their
activities of daily living as much as they can because I feel if we encourage people to
help themselves or help to their fullest potential we are encouraging a sense of self
pride. This pride helps to give meaning to ones life and life their sprits as they recover.

Nursing Philosophy
Benner focuses on the roles that scholastic achievement, skills know-how, and
experience have on patient care. She also identified five stages of nursing which relate
to experience (Masters, 2017). I agree that not everything you need to know is learned
in the classroom or at clinicals and the more that we work and are exposed to the more
we develop new skills that allow us to better care for our patients. Continuing education
helps to ensure that nurses practice in accordance with the most current evidencebased practice which is proven to improve patient care outcomes (nursingcenter.com,
2016). Nurses must make a commitment to becoming a lifelong learner to ensure
competent care is provided. In my career I have learned something almost every day
whether it be from research for school work, continue education requirements of my
employer or state regulatory agency. I also learn from my patients, their families and
coworkers. I hope that I can use the knowledge I gain to care for patients and to
educate my patients on their conditions, treatment and care plan.
I believe that each person deserves respect and to be treated with such. This is a
belief I practice in every aspect of my life and have instilled in my children as well. We
are all creatures of God and should treat each other with respect. Everyone is entitled to
their own beliefs which may affect their medical care decisions. We must respect each
patients wishes and provide non-judgemental care. When I started my nursing journey I
felt that everyone should be a full code regardless of current conditions and medical
history because to me it seemed only fair to allow patients to receive all treatments
available. As I have matured as a nurse, I began to realize that sometimes death with
dignity is sometimes the best available treatment we can provide our patients.

Nursing Philosophy
Empathetic and dignified care is a goal of the Catholic Health Ministry as defined
in its Shared Statement of Identity (chausa.org, 2016). I strive to provide empathetic
care by realizing that being in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a very scary place for
patients and their families. To relieve some of the stress related to my patients condition
and the environment by letting them know I am there to care for them and will do my
best to answer any questions they may have. I always try to get to know my patients
and their families beyond the disease and current situation. I feel if we connect with our
patients we are empathetic, understand and build a more trusting relationship. End of
life care is a sensitive issue and one that I face often as an ICU nurse. I have a
commitment to my patients and part of that is to promote and defend their dignity. I
remember a patient who had expressed the desire to pass at home. I along with the
physician, and Pallative Care worked with Hospice to allow this patient to return home
with her children and continue to receive pain management while dying with dignity,
peacefully and with family at her side as she desired. From this experience I learned the
importance of letting your loved ones know your wishes and how importance it is to
educate patients on developing an advance directive to ease the burden on the family
and allow for a dignified death.
The nursing philosophy I have developed over my years of practice is one based
on the beliefs that all persons should be treated with respect, dignity and have a right to
make educated decisions about the care they receive. In order to provide competent,
empathetic care to my patients I have a commitment to life-long learning, working
together as part of team with my patients, their family and my coworkers.

References
Masters, K. (2017). Role development in professional nursing practice. 4 th edition.
Burlington, MA. Jones and Bartlett Learning
Nursing: our nursing philosophy. (2016). Retrieved October 7, 2016 from
https://bonsecours.com/richmond/jobs-and-education/nursing
Skeens, J. (April/June 2010). Continuing education: a bridge to excellence in critical
care nursing. Critical Care Nursing Quarterly 33(2). P. 104-116 retrieved October
8, 2016 from www.nursingcenter.com/static?padeid=1130713
What is nursing (2016). Retrieved October 7, 2016 from
www.nursingworld.org/EspeciallyForYou/What-is-Nursing