Being a Human In the Twenty-First Century
During the most difficult and amazing years of my life that I spent at NYCCT, as a nursing student, I always was had Watson’s theory, in the back of my head. I was reading and trying to understand what she really wanted to pass to the future nurses. I attended many clinicals and that was the time I finally understood what type of a nurse I want to be and how Jean Watson can guide me throughout my practice. I developed my own philosophy of nursing and I’m still analyzing how it corresponds to the world we live in. I learned a lot during the associate program, I passed my NCLEX and I’m in the bachelor program, in order to grow as a nurse. But there are a few things that all nurses should have and that can’t be trained or learnt: understanding, compassion, respect, and commitment. I would be a nurse without those characteristics.
My philosophy and goal, as a nurse, is to support my patients and their families. I truly believe that nursing is not just handing out medications, following the doctors’ orders, and getting a paycheck every week. It’s much more than that and no one will be a successful nurse if they don’t realize that, before they enter the nursing program. I always treat my patients the way I would like to be treated by the other nurse. I imagine it could be my family member and I take care of the client as good as I can, with all my heart. Working in a long term care facility showed how delicate and vulnerable the other person can be. It’s a responsibility to speak up for them, to protect, and advocate for them. Many clients are lonely and it’s my duty to substitute their missing family during the difficulties moments of sickness. Working at the clinic opened my eyes as well: people are afraid of an unknown. I see frightened clients every day at my work. It’s my obligation to reassure them that everything will be well. They are so confused on what to do when they leave the center. And again, it’s me, who should direct them on what to do next.
Nursing has many faces- I am not “only” a nurse. I am a teacher, a healer, a supporter, and an advocate every day. My philosophy of nursing can seem too simple, but when observing the world around me, I am afraid that it is not that obvious to everyone. Being a human, with a good heart and who uses the gained knowledge to help others, is the key.
