Nursing Philosophy

Nursing Philosophy Olivia Lovenstein Introduction to Professional Nursing Professor Raelene Shippee-Rice 14 November 2012

Nursing Philosophy Abstract Writing a philosophy is a challenging concept due to the depth nursing is as a career and passion. There

are many aspects that make the field of nursing so complex. Having the mindset, motivation, knowledge and heart to care for and treat others as a profession is not for the weak of heart. Being physically and mentally tough is a necessity in working in the health care field. Working with creating new life to creating comfort measures for someone in their final hours are skills a nurse must be competent in and be mastered. Having the agility to work in all areas of the health care field makes nurses diverse and adaptable to giving the best care in all situations. A combination of all these concepts is what makes nursing such an inspiring and incredible field.

Nursing Philosophy

A philosophy of nursing is one that has many dimensions. There is a spiritual, scientific, practical, ethical, emotional, and logical aspect to each decision a nurse makes every day. From assisting in a bed bath, to administering medications that keep your patient stable to giving postmortem care there is a depth like no other that the nursing profession works with on a daily basis. Having the ability to work alongside other health care professionals nurses have a broad spectrum of work they contribute to. There are nurses in all fields of health care doing numerous jobs, having the mental agility to perform multiple tasks to the best of their ability all the time is a job standard like no other. Nurses are the backbone of the health care system; all though this is a strong and broad statement it has a serious sense of truth. The nurses are the individual between the patient and Doctor or Surgeon. Having to communicate between the orders and the practicality of making those orders happen is all how a well-oiled machine works. Without the wires that conduct the electricity the light bulb, being the doctors, wouldnt be able to create light, being the patient outcomes. The nurses produce that light; they guide it and help it grow stronger and brighter. Being able to communicate and be competent in all aspects of a patients care makes for a better educated patient, therefore a more motivated patient. Knowledge is power, enabling patients to have a key role in their road to their own personal recovery is an empowering experience. Being able to pass along the message from the doctors and communicate it to the patient in a way they will understand is a key skill of nurses. Having knowledge on how to individualize each patients care is a skill that a nurse must master over time. No two people are the same; nor should their care plans should be the same. Each person a nurse cares for is an individual with different and specific needs. Being able to identify and prioritize the needs of patients will allow the nurse to provide care focused and centered on their needs. With each

Nursing Philosophy patient there are struggles and rewards, whether it be connecting, communicating or physically challenging patients the nurses job is to put aside all prejudice and provide the best care they can. Sympathy is a word often used in a tone of negative annotation, to have sympathy for ones situation in a time of loss, or grief. This is not always the case, having sympathy for an individual means

to put yourself in their shoes and to see the situation through their eyes. To have sympathy for one who is bed ridden, realize they most likely miss their independence so when it comes time for their care give them as much control and you can, give them sun light and fresh air as much as possible. Although you may not be able to imagine what it is like to be in all patients perspectives and situations, like a recently diagnosed cancer patient for example, it is the nurses job to do their best to work with the patient to cope and make the best of their situation. There are many aspects of nursing, many not even touched upon in this philosophy. We can prepare ourselves as much as a text book and advice can let us, then it is up to us to take our knowledge and apply it is the most productive way possible. Every day nurses face new experience and challenges; every day is a learning experience and allows for personal and professional growth. Being open minded and agile nurses are able to develop themselves and those around them with one common goal- the good of the patient.