Philosophy of Nursing

My philosophy of nursing is an extension of my philosophy on life. I believe in treating all other sentient beings with the utmost compassion, understanding, and respect, while preserving their dignity. I have always believed in protecting those who cannot protect themselves; this is why I knew nursing was my calling at the age of 9. The sick and ill are indeed a vulnerable population that require the holistic care and support of a nurse.

Nursing is an art and a science that seeks to restore and optimize the health of our clients through evidence-based practices, as well as simply caring. Nurses have a duty to provide a caring environment for their clients, in which Jean Watson’s Carative Processes are engrained in every clinical action performed.

We must always remember that a patient is not a disease process; a patient is a complex entity composed of several domains of being—the physical, social, cognitive, psychological, and spiritual. A disturbance in any of these domains can produce illness and the nurse must consider all of these factors in order to achieve the greatest health outcome possible for any given client. Nurses must advocate for their patients and ensure that all that can be done has been done. As nurses, our jobs are ever-complex and ever-changing. Nursing requires us to be responsible, steadfast, caring and empathetic; it is these traits that a nurse must possess in order to produce the best health outcomes.

The term “client” (or “patient”) may refer to an individual, a family, or a community. Nurses must deliver patient-family-centered care that is culturally congruent. We have an obligation to expand our minds beyond that which we know, especially in today’s continually diversifying communities. Basic knowledge of different cultures and the openness to learn are essential for good nursing practice. Quality nursing care must be provided to all people regardless of culture, race/ethnic background, socioeconomic status, religion, disability, etc. As nurses we must commit ourselves to constant professional and educative development, including cultural competence. Professional development is an ongoing process and shall never be deemed “complete.” We must stay up to date on the latest research, both nursing and medical. Caring and compassion are at the core of my nursing philosophy, and I will strive to carry these values out to the best of my ability throughout my nursing career.