A philosophy is a set of beliefs and values meant to guide one’s thinking and motivation to action. It demands a depth of knowledge and wisdom to put together all that we know in order to obtain what we value as being truth. This could also include morality and human nature.

As a nursing student you gain a high level of academic excellence that expands your horizon and your future. As a graduate nurse with a knowledge base you begin to gain experience in healthcare as well as in the community around you and in the process you also learn more about yourself.

My personal beliefs and values center around doing the right thing; treating others with the respect and dignity that I would want for myself. My beliefs and values drive my thinking process, my conscience and the decisions I make for myself and those for whom I care.  These are qualities that are true of the nursing culture and which have been imbedded in every nurse’s mind and thoughts.

As a practicing nurse I not only give care through the healing process but I advocate on behalf of my patients. Therefore, a code of ethics and values must be closely followed.  The nursing profession is governed by such a Code of Ethics which include patient’s right to life, right to choose treatment, ability to give consent, and the right to end life.  I base my actions on this code of ethics and it is most important to me that the patient’s interest always comes first.

I like Jean Watson’s theory that caring is central to nursing. She wrote that caring promotes health better than just a medical cure and I have witnessed that a patient’s pain can be forgotten, or at least for a while if he/she is distracted or deferred to thinking of something that is more pleasant.