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Laura Velasquez

Philosophy of Nursing

University of St Mary
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Philosophy of Nursing

When defining one’s philosophy of nursing one does not really think about the concepts

until asked. I will say I am a firm believer of being a life long learner and advancing our

profession and I will explain why. I had not realized how abstract and diverse nursing can be. “I

am a jack of all trades,” is what I told one of my patients when he stated, “I bet you didn’t know

you had to learn to adjust crutches and be a computer wiz (the computer had technical issues),

when you became a nurse!” That’s what got me thinking he is right I just don’t focus on one

aspect of the patient, but as a whole. Nursing is such a diversified discipline. In retrospect, I can

remember my coworker, a nurse and my mentor, I had just started the associates nursing

program, she said, “I don’t want you getting discouraged…, just try to remember you are barely

scratching the surface, you are learning the very basics of nursing.” My mentor was right there

had been so much that was not covered in nursing school. Nursing school only covered the basic

skills and techniques, the concept and framework of nursing theory.

While working with mature expert nurses and new entry baccalaureate novice nurses I

have made a few observations with their views of nursing-care. The old school mentally was that

novice nurses needed the experience of the med/surg floor in order to become specialized nurses

and/or move up the hierarchy nursing ladder. Yes, experience is lacking but I don’t feel that it’s

the experience that is in question but the act of nursing. The actual experience of managing the

care of the patient. Having to prioritize time, coordinating with other ancillary departments,

teamwork, advocacy, communicator, supervising and delegating patient care. These essential

factors which are critical for the advancement in our nursing profession. The baccalaureate nurse

has learned all these essential factors but lack the experience.
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Just recently, my nursing practice hospital went through a major overhaul, a new building

with very spacious ICU, Surgical and Medical patient room “suites,” a new OR, PACU and

Surgery Admitting unit. Since the Surgery Admitting Unit was a new concept for the hospital,

among other issues, patient-care did not flow very well. Thereby, a specialist was contracted to

help in the efficiency of the patient-care flow. She is a highly regarded industrial engineer that

worked for Boeing (I think they make planes), however, she had no experience in healthcare. Her

cut and dry approach soon became very frustrating she did not understand the complexities of

nursing and its environment. These are the factors that we nurses’ come across when we lack

higher education. In order to make an impact in our professional environment we must advocate

for a higher learning in our profession.

The American Nurses Association, Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurse with

Interpretive Statement (2015) Section 5.5 Maintenance of Competence and Professional Growth

indicate that:

Professional growth and development are promoted by membership in professional

organizations, both state and local, by attendance at meetings and conventions and by
constant reading on professional subjects. Yet further growth may be assured by
attendance on institutes and postgraduate courses (p. 88).

With the evolving technology trends, breakthroughs in medical treatments, and the growing

geriatric population it is the responsibility of the nurse to apply safe nursing-care. Nurses should

advocate their healthcare institution in implementing evidence based-practice, the highest level

of safety and efficacy for patients. Continued education is crucial in keeping nursing practice up

to date, therefore providing the best outcomes in patient care.

In conclusion, with the diversity of nursing and all its abstractness, this is my philosophy of

being a firm believer of long life learners and advance practice of the profession.
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References

Fowler, Marsha D. M. (2015) Guide to the code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements:

Development, interpretation and application (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD:

Nursesbook.org