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RUNNING HEAD: NURSING PHILOSOPHY 1

Nursing Philosophy

Jessica Garcia RN

Delaware Technical Community College

NUR 300

Dr. Kelly Davis

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

patient direct and related to patient disease process.

My philosophy of nursing addresses dignity, honestly, advocacy, and kindness and/ or

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

would want them to treat me.

In conclusion I do my best to live and practice my nursing philosophy every day. 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

Eichelberger, L. W. (2000). Ernestine Wiedenbach. In Clayton State University Nursing Theory


Website.
Retrieved October 2, 2018, from http://www.clayton.edu/nursing/Nursing-
Theory/wiedenbach

Thompson, C. J. (2017, October 3). In What is the nursing metaparadigm? .


Retrieved from https://nursingeducationexpert.com/metaparadigm/

Philosophy. 2018. In Merriam-Webster.com.


Retrieved October 2, 2018, from https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/philosophy

Philosophy of Nursing. (2018). In University Health System.


Retrieved from https://www.universityhealthsystem.com/healthcare-
professionals/nurses/professional-practice/philosophy-of-nursing

McLeod, S. (2018, May 21). Maslow's hierarchy of needs. In simply psychology.


Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

Values, Mission and Vision. (2018). In Vitas Healthcare.


Retrieved October 3, 2018, from https://www.vitas.com/about-us/values

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