Philosophy

Nursing is more than just dispensing medications and changing wound dressings. My philosophy is that nursing is a way of life, meaning a nurse’s job doesn’t end when they clock out of work. Nursing is a commitment to promoting physical and mental health both in and out of the hospital. If a nurse sees someone in need or at risk for adverse health outcomes, regardless of the setting, they should provide assistance. This could be as simple as advising a diabetic friend of what foods could help them manage their disease or as extreme as administering CPR to a stranger who collapses in the street.

Just as a nurse should not stop promoting health when they clock out, they shouldn’t allow their nursing knowledge to stagnate after they graduate. Nursing is an evolving field, with new technologies and treatments coming out every day. Thus, a nurse must take it upon him/herself to keep up to date. As nurses, there is no excuse not to do so because there are many ways of staying educated. Education doesn’t just mean going back to school, although that is a good way of doing so. Nurses can attain certifications in different specialties such as IV Insertion and Management, subscribe to and read nursing magazines such as American Nurse Today, complete free webinar courses such as those offered by Sigma Theta Tau, and/or belong to a professional nursing organization such as the American Nurses Association.

In summary, nurses should maintain a nurse-mindset 24/7. We should continuously strive to promote  health in the world, and continuously pursue knowledge in the field of nursing.