Running head: NURSING PHILOSOPHY 1

Professional Nursing Philosophy

Nur 300: RN to BSN Transition

Delaware Technical Community College

Makenzie D. Lee

November 29, 2018

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According to the American Journal of Health-system Pharmacy, “a personal philosophy

of practice can be described as a written document that serves as a compass to guide one’s

practice” (Leinum & Trapskin, 2011, 116-117). When it comes to my personal nursing

philosophy, my core values include compassion, empathy, kindness, education, and advocacy.

After the passing of my grandfather many years ago, I made the decision that I would aspire to

become a nurse. During such a difficult time, it was the nurses who showed such an outpouring

of empathy and compassion which has left an everlasting mark on my family and myself. I

believe that experience has continued to make an impact on how I practice as a nurse today. I

strongly agree that as nurses we are in the frontline of patient care, serving such an important and

entrusted role as caregivers.

A large aspect of my personal nursing philosophy is surrounded around education.

Education and learning becomes lifelong as one’s education truly never ends. Every day, as a

nurse, I encounter learning opportunities and educational advancements. Within my personal

nursing philosophy surrounding education, I believe becoming an expert within your field is

imperative. This embraces the necessity to attend many educational opportunities to learn new

skills and understandings within healthcare practices today. Learning allows me to become a

more proficient nurse and patient advocate. Healthcare is forever changing and adapting to best

practice, therefore staying current is a must.

Throughout the years, many inspirational and influential people have made enormous

impacts on nursing as a profession. I have determined that a large portion of my personal

nursing philosophy includes patient advocacy, which encompasses my beliefs to ensure positive

patient outcomes. The nursing theorist Florence Nightingale established the Environmental

Theory of nursing. This theory focuses on aspects of the environment that affect health, and how
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manipulation of the environment can improve patient outcomes. When the environment is out of

balance, it is the nurse’s responsibility to correct this for the patients benefit (Zborowsky, 2014,

p. 2). The environmental characteristics were identified as “fresh air, pure water, sufficient food

supplies, efficient drainage, cleanliness of the patient and environment, and light (particularly

direct sunlight)” (Nursing Theory, 2016). Nightingale’s “observations taught her that unsanitary

environments contribute greatly to ill health, and that the environment can be altered in order to

improve conditions for a patient and allow healing to occur” (Nursing Theory, 2016). Our goal

as healthcare providers is to restore our patients back to their standard of health or an improved

state. With environmental manipulation and awareness, we can achieve this.

Personal wellness is significant in evaluating one’s current state of being. By interpreting

and understanding your personal wellness, you can be inspired and encouraged to make positive

changes within your life and aid in decision-making. Personal wellness includes physical,

spiritual, social, emotional, and intellectual wellness. I feel strongly that as nurses we are

examples for our patients regarding wellness and selfcare. In relation to Florence Nightingale’s

Environmental Theory, health and healing are major themes. I believe it is extremely beneficial

to self-reflect in every wellness component to ensure you are in your optimal state, thus only

benefiting your patients.

Within any professional field, conflict may arise. Conflict is often looked at with a

negative connotation; consequently, it becomes an avoided topic. However, understanding that

conflict will arise and using conflict resolution strategies, conflict can be beneficial and allow for

compromise. Every individual has their own personality characteristics, and therefore their own

style of conflict management. I personally have an “Accommodating” style of conflict

management, which can be described as placing low emphasis on the goal, but high emphasis on
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the relationship with the person involved. This particular conflict style has a large importance on

maintaining relationships even if it means the individual downplays their own feelings. Whereas

others may put a large emphasis on themselves, I personally place high value on others. I try to

“keep the peace” and be flexible, meaning I tend to try and not cause conflict or problems. I

have a great deal of empathy and consideration for all, which only empowers my overall nursing

philosophy.

In healthcare, safety and quality improvement are endlessly evaluated and enhanced to

ensure satisfactory patient outcomes. Healthcare education focuses heavily on QSEN

competencies, which includes, but not limited to, patient-centered care, teamwork and

collaboration, evidenced-based practice, quality improvement, safety, and informatics (Sherwood

& Zomorodi, 2014). Being a patient advocate and overall well-rounded nurse includes

conducting safe care. As a healthcare provider, your patients’ safety should be your top priority.

Safety is used to “minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both system

effectiveness and individual performance” (Sherwood & Zomorodi, 2014, p.18). In healthcare

today, we practice safety through active prevention, standardization of practices, technology,

organization, and communication (QSEN Institute, 2014). In relation to my personal nursing

philosophy, I take the safety of my patients and the care I provide them with the great

significance.

In healthcare, teamwork is a necessity. Within a team, there must be a designated leader.

“Leadership can be defined as a multifaceted process of identifying a goal or target, motivating

other people to act, and providing support and motivation to achieve mutually negotiated goals”

(Frankel, 2008). Leaders must be detail-oriented with strategies to attack the problem at hand.

As a leader, you must incorporate the participation and ideas of others. This includes decision-
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making, delegating, resolving conflict, and acting with integrity (Frankel, 2008). Part of my

personal nursing philosophy includes kindness and compassion. These traits are not only

directed towards my patients, but also my coworkers. As a leader within nursing, collaboration

with your team is imperative. I attribute my kind-heartedness as one of the reasons that I am

able to get along with a variety of people. It can become difficult at times, but by theoretically

putting your feet in someone else’s shoes, it gives you a different perspective, which in turn

allows you to be an improved leader. My leadership qualities include being understanding and

sympathetic, whilst using strategy and teamwork to achieve a goal.

In conclusion, my personal nursing philosophy is a depiction of how I practice as a

professional nurse today. My philosophy encompasses and represents many of my own beliefs

and values that affect who I am and how I treat my patients. My nursing philosophy will remain

a compass and a tool to guide my actions and choices as I move forward within my nursing

career.
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References

Dolansky, M. A., & Moore, S. M. (2013). Quality and safety education for nurses (QSEN): The

key is systems thinking. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18(3), 1-12. https://doi-

org.libproxy.dtcc.edu/10.3912/OJIN.Vol18No03Man01

Frankel, A. (2008). What leadership styles should senior nurses develop? Nursing Times,

104(35), 23-24. Retrieved from https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinical-

archive/leadership/what-leadership-styles-should-senior-nurses-develop/1811643.article

Leinum CJ, & Trapskin PJ. (2011). Writing a personal philosophy of practice. American Journal

of Health-System Pharmacy, 68(2), 116–117. doi: https://doi-

org.libproxy.dtcc.edu/10.2146/ajhp100426

NERIS Analytics Limited. (2018). Defender Personality (ISFJ, -A/-T). 16Personalities.

Retrieved from https://www.16personalities.com/isfj-personality

Nursing Theory. (2016). Environmental theory. Retrieved from http://www.nursing-

theory.org/theories-and-models/nightingale-environment-theory.php

Sherwood, G. & Zomorodi, M. (2014). A new mindset for quality and safety: The QSEN

competencies redefine nurses’ roles in practice. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 41(1), 15-

71. Retrieved from

http://search.ebscohost.com.libproxy.dtcc.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=947

20142&site=ehost-live

QSEN Institute. (2014). QSEN competencies. Retrieved November 20, 2018 from

http://qsen.org/competencies/pre-licensure-ksas/#patient-centered_care
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Zborowsky, T. (2014). The legacy of Florence Nightingale’s environmental theory: Nursing

research focusing on the impact of healthcare environments. Health Environments

Research & Design Journal, 7(4), 19-34. doi:

http://dx.doi.org.libproxy.dtcc.edu/10.5935/1414-8145.20150069