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My Nursing Philosophy

Miae Kwon

Nursing, Delaware Technical Community College

NUR 300: RN to BSN Transition

Mrs. Tina Shukla

July 30, 2023

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Lifelong Learning

BSN education not only broadens my critical thinking and provides me with more

opportunities but also serves as a stepping-stone for career advancement in nursing. Currently, I

lack a specific goal as a nurse and intend to gain more experience and explore various paths

before committing to one. Nevertheless, I am certain that nursing resonates with my personal

values and principles, bringing me joy and fulfillment in my profession. As I continue to work

and accumulate experience, I am confident that new insights and opportunities will unfold. While

obtaining a BSN degree might not hold immediate significance, I believe it can serve as a

valuable foundation should I establish new goals in the future.

I believe that Jean Watson’s theory can be applied to expanding nursing expertise through

continuing education. Since Just as this theory does not overlook the importance of nursing

practice, it can be applied as a model that encourages training and education as a nursing

professional. I can apply the theory not only in addressing the current illnesses of patients but

also in educating and intervening in health promotion.

Personal Philosophy

My personal nursing philosophy is that a nurse should possess professional knowledge

and practice, provide care to patients based on their individual needs with compassion, and act as

a mediator among multidisciplinary teams. Upon reviewing Jean Watson's “Philosophy and

Science of Caring,” I discovered numerous points that closely aligned with my own beliefs in

nursing. Watson's theory highlights nursing's role in promoting health, preventing illness, caring

for the sick, and restoring health (Gonzalo, 2023). Moreover, Watson emphasizes the

significance of clinical Caritas processes as the core of nursing, while acknowledging the

importance of nursing practices as the trim. However, it is crucial to remember that

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compassionate care should always remain at the forefront of professional nursing practice

(Masters, 2021).

I believe bedside nursing is the foundation of nursing, requiring dedication and

compassion towards patients. Embodying this dedication and kindness means empathizing with

the patient's suffering and situation. However, over the past few months, I have come to realize

that it is far from easy. There are too many unpredictable situations beyond human control. As

we know, nursing is emotionally and physically demanding compared to other professions,

leading to a high risk of burnout. Watson's 10 caring factors and Caritas processes offer essential

elements that nurses must embody as caregivers. By utilizing these factors as guidelines, I can

identify areas where patient-centered care may be lacking and consider areas for further

development and improvement.

Personal Wellness

Jean Watson describes the importance of self-care through her 10 Caritas processes.

Especially in the first clauses 1 to 3, it is stated that Jean Watson expresses it as follows

Maintaining humanistic-altruistic values through the practice of loving-kindness, compassion,

and equanimity towards oneself and others, being genuinely present, fostering faith, hope, and

belief systems, and respecting the subjective inner world and life experiences of oneself and

others. Also, she emphasizes spiritual practices through the deepening of self-awareness

(Masters, 2021).

As a nurse, I believe that personal wellness is crucial. If I am not well taken care of, I

cannot care for others effectively. When establishing a personal health plan, I consider accurately

assessing my current state before setting goals as the most important step. I believe that through
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self-reflection and addressing any deficiencies, I can minimize the possibility of experiencing

burnout while working in clinical settings as a nurse.

Conflict management

My complicit management style is mixed with avoiding and accommodating. I have

come to realize that adopting an avoiding style during conflicts leads to a lose-lose outcome for

both parties, as continually evading the issues at hand hinders problem resolution and could

potentially result in more significant negative consequences down the road. Consequently, when

faced with conflicts within my team, I have chosen to communicate my stance clearly instead of

simply avoiding and conceding. This can serve as a cornerstone not only for the team's growth

but also for enhancing the patient care environment.

I believe Watson's theory can be applied to conflict management among colleagues.

Embodying her theory of self and others transpires beyond patient care, extending to enhancing

relationships with coworkers. Understanding my own tendencies and empathizing with others,

trusting their actions and decisions, can minimize friction and foster smoother interactions.

Patient Safety

According to QSEN, safety involves minimizing the risk of harm to both patients and

healthcare providers through effective system measures and individual performance (QSEN,

2007). Safety is the number one priority of nursing. This is undeniable. Nurses must first and

foremost understand this to maximize safety. As a nurse, I should always question what

procedure I am performing, what the patient's baseline is, and whether the medication I am

administering is safe for the patient. Watson's theory supports patient safety. As she states, by

engaging in the caring process, nurses creatively problem-solve and seek solutions, fully utilizing
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themselves and employing the artistry of caring-healing practices through various forms of

knowledge, being, action, and growth (Watson, 2001).

Leadership

Watson's theory is in line with several essential aspects of nursing leadership and

emphasizes the importance of caring for patient care and team care, true presence, compassion,

and a holistic approach. Personally, I believe that leaders are not born but rather made. I aspire to

develop my nursing leadership as an evolving nurse by effectively integrating my nursing

philosophy with Jean Watson's Caring Science Theory.

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Reference

Masters, K. (2021). Role Development in Professional Nursing Practice (6th ed.). Jones &

Bartlett Learning. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781284251777

Gonzalo, A. (2023). Jean Watson: Theory of Human Caring.

https://nurseslabs.com/jean-watsons-philosophy-theory-transpersonal-caring

10 caritas processes®. Watson Caring Science Institute. (2023, July 19).

https://www.watsoncaringscience.org/jean-bio/caring-science-theory/10-caritas-

processes/

Qsen insitute: Quality and safety education for Nurses. QSEN. (2022, November 17).

https://www.qsen.org/