MY PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 1

My Philosophy of Nursing

Erin Keim

Old Dominion University

MY PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 2

My Philosophy of Nursing

The great Florence Nightingale was quoted as saying, No man, not even a doctor,

ever gives any other definition of what a nurse should be than this devoted and

obedient. This definition would do just as well for a porter. It might even do for a horse. It

would not do for a policeman. (Nightingale, 2016) Those two words, devoted and

obedient, are attributes I wish to obtain. One person that stands out to me as being the role

model of nursing is the founder, Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale is considered to be the founder of modern nursing. She left a

life of grandeur to pursue her calling from God: nursing. Any of us who have even set foot

in a hospital or nursing home know that the career of nursing is anything but grand. It is a

tiring career; this calling has long, brutal hours of taking care of the sick, the hurt, and their

families. Nurses have to be experienced in medicine, communication, math, electronics,

troubleshooting, psychology, and social economics. My definition of the career of nursing is

to help patients towards a greater wellness.

During this semester, I have pondered which one of the theorists that we have been

studying, I am most like. I think I agree with most theorists in the majority of their beliefs.

I do believe, like Jean Watson, in the ten carative factors: formation of a humanistic

altruistic system of values, instillation of faith-hope, cultivation of sensitivity to self and

others, development of a helping-trust relationship, promotion and acceptance of the

expression of positive and negative feelings, systematic use of the scientific problem-

solving method of decision making, promotion of interpersonal teaching-learning,

provision for a supportive, protective and corrective mental, physical, sociocultural, and

spiritual environment, assistance with gratification of human needs, and the allowance for
MY PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 3

existential-phenomenological forces. (Alligood, 2014) These theorists all have something

in common; they all see the importance of caring for a patient that leads to a better well-

being. Some believe that controlling the environment around them helps the patient.

Others believe that giving that patient some sense of control with ADLs (Activities of Daily

Living) and promoting behavior like exercise is best. I see the good in all of them. We

should promote independence. I have seen patients in the hospital that have every single

thing done for them- from taking their medicines, brushing their teeth, eating and getting

washed up. Unless I know that person is paralyzed or contracted, I try to let them

participate. I have had patients with Parkinsons that people did everything for. I got them

to brush their teeth, wash their face and chest, give finger foods so they can feed

themselves. I think it gives them a sense of control that they may not have had for quite

some time.

Some of the characteristics of nursing that I strive for every shift and throughout my

career are: humiliation, compassion, patience, hard work, moral, respectful, honest, precise,

driven, punctual, professional, and to always have a good attitude. Some of these

characteristics apply to other careers and to life in general, but I believe it takes a unique

person to become a good nurse. Some would say that being a nurse requires a special

calling. As I think about that list of qualities, I also remember how hard some of them are

to have, such as patience and having a good attitude.

I strive for humiliation because I see too many nurses become arrogant and think

they know everything. There is no way possible for me to know everything about medicine

or nursing. I love when I feel confident about something, but I try to stay humble and to not

think that I know everything.

MY PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 4

Compassion is critical in nursing. Patients are scared, as well as their families. Even

the patients that seem tough or are mean, they are scared too. Patients want a nurse who is

compassionate, takes the time to listen and does what they say they will do. I pray that I

will never become a nurse whose patient is in pain and think that theyre just overly

dramatic. Pain is real for each patient, no matter what. I need to treat pain individually.

Also, patience is an important characteristic. Families can be annoying and time-

consuming. Patients may think that they have checked into the Hilton instead of the

hospital, but I need to have patience with them. I may need to set limits and be stern with

some, but to still have patience with them and let them know that I care for them.

My parents always told me to work hard, not be lazy. There are shifts where I am

completely exhausted and would rather sit at the nurses station and do nothing. I try to

tell myself that I need to get everything done and then I can rest. I know its important to

take mini breaks and relax my body and my brain. I see some nurses who leave so much to

be done for the next nurse coming on. Those nurses did the bare minimum of handing out

meds and assessing. They sat down the rest of the time talking on the phone or playing on

the computer. My mom always taught me to always stay busythere is always something

to do, whether its getting patients baths (its not just a tech job!), changing intravenous

(IV) sites, tidying up patient rooms, reviewing charts, etc.

Being moral and honest go hand-in-hand. With a nursing license comes the promise

to be an honest nurse. Too many nurses have been fired and have gone to jail for diverting

medications, stealing from patients and lying on their documentation. I feel bad for the

patients who had those nurses. Those patients relied on the nurse to take care of them and
MY PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 5

those patients trusted them. It is our duty to do what is best for the patients. Too many

nurses put themselves first instead of the patient.

The other qualities I listed are important ones as well. Nurses should be on-time

(and by that I mean early), dressed professionally with name tags as well as act

professionally (no cursing!), precise in their documentation, precise in their medications

and math, driven to do more and learn more, and have a good attitude. Having a good

attitude may be the hardest one to do because it is so easy to let something from home

carry on to work. Or, its easy to let a mean or heavy patient get to us. Patients should see

us smile. When we walk in our patients rooms, they should see only us concerned with

only them. They should never see or hear us complaining about other patients or whatever

else is going on. Most nights are stressful for me. Most nights, I dont have adequate staff

and patients are all critically ill. My patients dont need to know that. They should see a

smile on my face when I walk through the door into their room. I am a firm believer that

nurses attitudes can affect a patients recovery.

Florence Nightingale worked under horrendous conditions. There was a few

hospitals that were so bad that she saw rodents and bugs everywhere, patients lying in the

own waste, and sewage floating around on the floors. She worked hard at cleaning up

these places and patients, and by doing so, cut the death toll down by 2/3. Florence

worked hard at recruiting nurses to help and is known as the Pioneer of Nursing. She

showed much compassion, hard work, integrity, and dedication. I strive to be like her

every day.

In conclusion, I know what it takes to be a nurse. But, after learning about these

theorists and learning more about Florence Nightingale, I know what I should strive to
MY PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 6

become. I should strive to become a nurse who goes the extra mile to help each and every

patient, and their families, to achieve better health. This assignment has helped renew that

drive to become a better nurse and to not settle for average.

MY PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 7

I pledge to support the Honor System of Old Dominion University. I will refrain from any
form of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that
as a member of the academic community it is responsibility to turn in all suspected
violators of the Honor Code. I will report to a hearing if summoned.
Name: Erin Keim
Signature: ELK
Date: 03/19/16
MY PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 8

References
Alligood, M. R. (2014). Nursing theorists and their work (8th ed.). Greenville, NC,
USA: Mosby.
Editors, B. (n.d.). Florence Nightingale biography. (A&E Television Network) Retrieved
March 19, 2016, from Biography.com: http://www.biography.com/people/florence-
nightingale-9423539#pioneering-nurse
Nightingale, F. (2016). Florence Nightingale quotes. Retrieved March 15, 2016,
http://www.nursebuff.com/2014/01/florence-nightingale-quotes/
MY PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 9

APA or grammar error Correction made, include APA page

number

Example: incorrect font Font changed to Times New Roman, p. 228

Works Cited page changed to References, p.

References, not works cited 180

Discontinued the italics- p. 185

Title of references in italics

Corrected- p. 37
Indentations and spacing incorrect

Heading and Page numbers incorrect Put running head and page numbers on all
pages, including title page- p. 230
MY PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 10

Grading criteria Possible Comments Points

points
Introduction 5% Started right off with definition of a nurse, no 0
explanation of what paper will address
Definition of Nursing 15% Need to be specific and state what you feel the 15
Purpose of Nursing 10% definition is and what the purpose of nursing 9
is.
Values and beliefs 10% Discussed many characteristics, not sure which 10
2 principles or rules w/ 15% are values as compared to the guiding 14
examples principles. Be clear in your wording!
Conclusion 10% Brief conclusion without summary of main 8
ideas
Reflection on learning 5% 5
3 references used 10% 10
Correct spelling and grammar 10% Minor wording issues 9
APA format, page limit 10% Review use of running head and page number 4
0 errors = 10% on title page, how to write reference list
<2 errors = 9%
2-5 errors = 6%
6-9 errors = 4%
10 or more errors = 0%
Final Grade: 100% 84