After reviewing my “Nursing Philosophy” that I created over two years ago, I have come

to realize that I still use this philosophy today. In fact, just this past week at work I almost quoted

part of my philosophy word for word without even realizing it! While some of my goals in my

career have changed, my view on my nursing career have not.

Since graduating with my associate degree in nursing in May of 2018, I have been

employed on the Oncology and Hematology Unit at Tidal Health Peninsula Regional in

Salisbury, MD. This unit has taught me numerous nursing skills but most importantly how to

treat patients and their families with empathy- especially during the end of a patient’s life. I have

shared many laughs, tears, and hugs in the last two and half years. I still find it important to show

love and caring through my work while protecting my patient’s dignity. Unfortunately, the

disease process of cancer has not changed for the better. Over the past two years, my core values

have not changed and still help me to provide the best care possible.

In my original philosophy, I noted that I looked up to the leaders on my floor. Since then,

I have become a leader on my floor. I have had filled the role of relief charge nurse on multiple

occasions. On our unit, this task is slightly different since our charge always has their own group

of 4-5 patients in addition to charge duties. In addition, I successfully completed the preceptor

course and have oriented many new employees and nursing students.

While I still practice self-care methods in order to be the best version of myself, this has

been more difficult in the past several months. Recently, work has been taking an emotional toll

on myself. I cared for an incredibly young cancer patient with two small children. Ultimately,

this patient ended up passing from their disease. The patient and I had an excellent rapport, and it

was incredibly tough to care for them in their final days. However, I wouldn’t have had it any
other way. My values that I developed over two years ago and put into my nursing practice

shaped me to be the nurse that the patient needed.

Since the beginning of the RN to BSN program, I have grown tremendously as a nurse.

My core values guided me throughout the program. Since I had a strong foundation, I was able to

apply new information in my practice that was introduced in the BSN courses. Since the start of

this program, I have earned my chemotherapy/ biotherapy administration card through the

Oncology Nursing Society. After I complete the BSN program, I will begin studying for my

national certification in chemotherapy through the ONS. I feel that my core values and the BSN

program have prepared me for this step. In the future, I would like to study to become a nurse

practitioner in palliative care.