MY NURSING PHILOSOPHY 1

My Nursing Philosophy

Brooklyn D. Maher

University of Arizona College of Nursing

NURS478

Professor Hoogasian

November 13th, 2022

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My Nursing Philosophy

Before I had gotten into nursing school, and before I had even developed a love for the

profession, I had heard the phrase, “the art of nursing.” As I have become more enveloped in the

field of nursing, I can see how accurate this phrase is. Nursing is not a science, there is no black

or white answer, as a nurse, you are constantly treading through the gray. Each patient you

interact with is different, with a unique background and their own personalized goals.

To me, nursing is helping patients achieve their health goals, whatever that may be. As a

nurse, you are a tool for the patient. You are not directing the care, they are. You cannot make

decisions for them, but you can give them the knowledge and tools to make their own informed,

evidence-based decisions. My mission in nursing is to provide competent, compassionate

patient-centered care to all those I interact with. As an individual, I will value honesty, learning,

and holistic care.

I was initially drawn to this career because I have seen the effect a good nurse can make

on an individual and on a family. A nurse’s care can impact a patient’s entire healthcare

experience. I have an Aunt who still tells stories about her incredible nurse that was with her

through her almost 20-hour labor and delivery. Another family member still gushes about the

nurse who helped her through her cancer and chemotherapy journey. Nurses are not just present

for a singular shift; they are present for monumental events, and their actions can have a lasting

effect on others.

Defining my nursing practice

Beliefs and values

I believe that every person has value, and their personal experiences shape who they are

and what they need from their care. It is impossible to simplify someone to just their diagnosis or
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disease process. I believe that nurses are there to assist in the healing process, not to direct it. The

patient should be in the driver’s seat. Nurses should be first and foremost patient advocates.

Many patients are unable to speak for themselves or stand up for their beliefs when in perilous

health related situations. This is where the nurse comes in. With extensive knowledge of the

field, nurses should be acting as a safeguard for their patient at all times.

As a nurse, I will value honesty above all else. Transparency is very important in life and

especially in healthcare. Patients should be able to see the entirety of a situation before making

their decisions. I believe that I should constantly strive to continue learning in every facet of the

nursing profession.

Skills

Organization, active listening, compassion, and drive are qualities that make a great

nurse, and I believe that I embody each of these qualities in facets of my life. I will work to

continue to display these qualities in my life and in my professional nursing career. In order to

complete all necessary nursing tasks in a day, you must stay organized and you must manage

your time appropriately. I have been practicing these skills throughout my education and during

my preceptorship. In order to care for patients emotionally, it is important to listen and show

compassion for their situation. The relationships in my life require these similar skills. Active

listening is essential to meaningful conversations and it makes others feel both seen and heard.

Integrative nursing principles

Integrative nursing is a set of foundational principles that prioritize caring for patients

and the caregiver as whole, complex beings (Kreitzer, 2015). Caring for the mind, body, and

spirit can contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of patients, and implementation of these

principles is important to my future nursing practice.

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Human beings are whole systems inseparable from their environment

A nurse’s aim should be to help the patient in mind, body, and spirit. If one of these is not

well, the whole person will not be well. When assessing a patient, nurses should take time to

assess the entirety of the patient; asking questions like “How are you doing emotionally?” or “Is

there anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable?” can begin a conversation with the

patient about how they are feeling in the hospital environment. A patient’s environment includes

all members of their care team, the unit and room that they are staying in, and the friends and

family they have coming and going. Simply by adjusting lighting, temperature, linens, or the

patient’s door, the patient can be made more comfortable and this principle can be easily

implemented. Another practice indicator to implement this nursing principle is active listening

(Kreitzer, 2015); taking the time to listen to a patient, making them feel seen and heard, can

support them and their healing journey. In my nursing practice, I want to continue working on

my active listening.

Integrative nursing is informed by evidence and uses the full range of therapeutic
modalities to support/augment the healing process
This integrative principle emphasizes the importance of moving from least invasive to

most invasive, depending on the patient’s specific needs (Kreitzer, 2015). Many smaller issues

can be solved with non-pharmacological evidence-based means, like repositioning or applying

ice or heat. Moving from least invasive to most invasive therapy also ensures that things are not

done unnecessarily. The most important thing is to work with the patient in developing their plan

of care; they are the guiding members of the healthcare team and their preferences should be

deciding factors in choosing which modality is best.

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Integrative nursing is person-centered and relationship-based

Healthy relationships can contribute to one’s healing, and the nurse-patient relationship is

a very important one in the hospital setting. These relationships, when established through

kindness, trust, and respect, can make patient’s feel supported and secure. Things like greeting

the patient and their family members by name, knowing the patient’s story, and ensuring

continuity of care contributes to the patient’s health and implements this principle in the

hospitalization (Kreitzer, 2015). Bonds are created in the hospital often as everyone rallies to

support patients in their care. The profound effects these relationships can have should not be

minimized.

My impact on the profession

I believe that each person has their own necessary place in the healthcare field. Everyone

brings something personal to their practice, and they can impact the care of their patients in a

unique way. Using my own skill set, and being guided by my personal values, I will be able to

positively impact my patients and uplift those around me; I strive to personalize the care I

provide in order to meet the needs of those I serve. I also hope to empower other nurses to do the

same. The best way to make a lasting impact in the nursing profession is to begin with small,

meaningful actions.

Conclusion

The goal for my future nursing practice is to support my patient’s in their healing, using

my skill set, my education, and my character. Very few professions have a front row seat to some

people’s worst days, health emergencies or end-of-life situations, and other’s best days, the

delivery of their child or the cure of their illness. Nurses stand by patients through their entire

experience– start to finish, they are there. I feel like the profession of nursing fills a completely
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unique space in the field of healthcare. During my community health rotation, one man told me,

“Save one life and you’re a hero. Save hundreds of lives and you’re a nurse.” Knowing that

people view nurses in this light, I feel inspired to enter the profession and make my own mark on

the field.

Although I don’t know in which area of nursing my passion dwells, I know that whatever

I set my mind to will be done well and with great care. That is my goal, to deliver

compassionate, quality care to all patients I interact with. To me, nursing is not just a job, it is a

calling.
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References

Kreitzer M. J. (2015). Integrative nursing: application of principles across clinical settings.

Rambam Maimonides medical journal, 6(2), e0016. https://doi.org/10.5041/RMMJ.10200