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Nursing Philosophy
Jessica Garcia RN
NUR 300
October 4, 2018
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NURSING PHILOSOPHY
Nursing Philosophy
A philosophy is defined as the most basic beliefs, concepts and attitudes of an individual
or group. Philosophy of nursing states our thoughts on what we believe to be true about the
nature of the profession of nursing and provide a basis for nursing activities. A Nursing
philosophy is significant to one’s self and must incorporate the nurses personal core beliefs and
values. I asked myself what are my personal core values and beliefs? Honesty, kindness,
example, and respect came to the forefront. Professionally I asked myself the same question.
Dignity, kindness, respect, honestly, advocacy and ethical. These are not just words, they are
principals that guide me, personally and professionally, and I find that if I am honest I judge
others on my principals. I make every effort to not allow my personal feelings to impact the care
that is provided. However, my core values and beliefs provide a basis for nursing activities.
When examining my own beliefs, values and assumptions I kept in mind the “four nursing
metaparadigm concepts that define nursing practice (or the key foci of patient care) are identified
as nursing, person, health, and environment. These four phenomena or concepts make up the
overall metaparadigm of nursing” (Thompson, 2017, para 6). Like our core values and beliefs are
linked to our nursing activities, “the phenomena of Person, Health, and Environment all relate to
the recipient (s) of nursing care or nursing actions” (Thompson, 2017, para 7).
Many of the nursing theories I reviewed during this class are relevant to the underlining
skills that I as a nurse implement daily. However, my core values are why, Ernestine
Wiedenbach’s “The Helping Art of Clinical Nursing” stood out to me the most. Wiedenbach’s
theory states that the art of nursing is guided by “deliberate actions” from the nurse and “not
comprised of rational nor reactionary action” (Eichelberger, 2000, para 1). I provide the best care
possible with deliberate action. To me deliberate action means to think carefully or talk
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something through intentionally. It also means a slow and calculated pace of careful decision
making. Continued education facilitates deliberate action. Knowing best practice, and new
methods provide the knowledge to make careful, calculated, and intentional decisions that are
helpfulness. Dignity can mean different things to different people. I define dignity as worthy of
basic human needs. Maslow defines basic human needs as food, drink, shelter, clothing, warmth,
sex, sleep, protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, and freedom from fear
(McLeod, 2018, para 9). Everyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, criminal
behavior, social status, or financial assets are worthy of basic human need. Other professions
may not agree. However, as a care giver someone who is to do no harm this is a crucial aspect of
nursing. As nurses our whole profession revolves around providing care and helping others.
Honestly not only refers to the patient but to self. I need to be honest with myself. I need
to know if I am competent and providing the best care I can. I am often faced with situations that
require me to answer honestly or dishonestly. Having worked in long term care and currently
with Hospice most questions I am asked are uncomfortable. The honest answer usually is not the
answer that the patient or family is looking for. Having to tell a wife, mother or any family
member that their loved one is dying is hard. If I am dishonest I am providing a disservice. Being
honest, answering those difficult questions allows my patients to say goodbye and prepare their
families and self in the best way they can to transition to death. Nurses are among the most
trusted professionals. If we are not honest in situations that are uncomfortable or admitting
mistakes we violate the trust that others have put into the nursing profession.
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Advocacy is the first thing I learned in nursing school. Patient safety is dependent upon
it and nurse – patient relationship is built on it. Advocacy circles back to dignity. My patients
have the right to be free from pain, and I will advocate for that right. This means that I will
advocate for my patient that has cancer even though they have a history of drug use. My patients
have the right to feel safe and have comfort even if they have no insurance and they are illegal
citizens. My patients have the right to be free from chemical restraints even if they have
dementia, subarachnoid hemorrhage with active brain changes and the need for 1:1 care. I am the
voice of my patients when they can’t help themselves. Advocacy is not only for patients but
nurses as well. It is important that nurses advocate for improved staffing ratios, quality control
and working conditions. Obtaining my BSN and master’s degree will improve my nurse
leadership skills thus, allowing me to create more effective working relationships with other
healthcare workers. Gaining a higher level of education and better knowledge of current health
issues will help me to advocate more effectively in the future involving health care.
Kindness and helpfulness are two adjectives that describe nursing. It’s the act of kindness
and helpfulness that can completely change a person’s perspective or state of being. Kindness
did not come from being a nurse. Rather the act of always trying to be kind and helpful is what
made me want to be a nurse. Being kind and helpful cost nothing. However, treating someone
with kindness even when they may undeserving or it may be unwanted is not only in the
patients’ best interest but in mine as well. This core value above all others is influenced by my
fundamental belief in God. Jesus said do unto others as you would have done unto you. Even for
those that do not share my religious beliefs, it’s a good message. Treat others how you want to be
treated. I want to be treated with kindness. I want to be spoken to with respect. I want others to
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offer help when they see I am in need. I will continue to treat my patients and coworkers as I
provide the best patient care that I can every day. My views and values have developed over my
life time. What was important to me at sixteen is not important for me today, at thirty-eight. I am
currently working for Vitas Hospice and their values correlate with my nursing philosophy.
Their values state: “Patients and families come first. We take care of each other. I’ll do my best
today and do even better tomorrow. I am proud to make a difference” (Vitas, 2018, para 3). I
hope my values and philosophy will develop with me as a further my career and education. I
aspire to never lose the passion that I have for helping others.
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References