I believe a nurse communicates and works with clients, families, and team members to provide the highest quality care. I think each nurse is listening and looking carefully at each client during each encounter. I believe nursing imparts knowledge and guidance simultaneously to retain and maintain health as well as eradicate, manage or minimize poor health. I consider health to be more than just the absence of illness, it is a subjective experience. I believe that it is a process that encompasses the mind body and spirit. Health is the feeling of wholeness and integrity oneself. Nurses are not confined to aiding an individual client in a hospital setting, a nurse can make meaningful impacts on his/her family and community. I recognize that the nurse is not the only one involved in the care of a client, the role of the nurse is to be a link between the client and other members of the healthcare team. Interprofessional collaboration is essential in providing proper care and improving patient outcomes. As a nurse, I believe that it is my duty to advocate for my patient.
Nursing as a Career
I was inspired to take up nursing as a profession when I witnessed my uncle battle glioblastoma. When visiting him in the hospital I was amazed at the dynamic between him and his nurse. The nurse was the one who knew the family members' names, not the doctors. The nurse was the one explaining and rephrasing the complicated treatment plans the doctor had just spoken about. The nurse was there every step of the way, and by comforting my uncle the nurse comforted my family as well. I appreciated that respect and empathy. Observing the nurse take care of my uncle, I decided that I too want to help people get through some of the toughest and most vulnerable moments of their lives.
A critical factor in the nursing profession is education, both for yourself and the education of the community. As a nurse, I want to commit myself to lifelong learning. I am a firm believer that education does not end at graduation, rather it continues for as long as you are in the nursing profession. I aspire to be an educator, advocate, and promoter of disease awareness and good health practices. I feel it is important to understand the “why” behind the things we do. By incorporating Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) into my clinical practice I am advancing the nursing profession. It is a personal responsibility to be competent and attend conferences so I can stay up to date in the profession. A core characteristic needed in the nursing field is teamwork. In addition to being able to work well on a team, it is crucial to seek out help when the need arises. The understanding of diversity and the importance of acknowledging and respecting, rather than judging or ignoring is a vital characteristic of a nurse. I plan to provide safe and effective care by upholding the ethical codes of the American Nurses Association and Joint Commission Standards. By abiding by these standards I will ensure confidentiality and privacy, and protect the patient’s rights. I believe my academic preparation has given me the tools (knowledge and skill set) to provide my patients satisfaction with their care.
Conclusion
My nursing philosophy is one that I will stand by for the rest of my nursing profession. It is rooted in providing competent, compassionate, empathetic, and optimal holistic care to the best of my ability. These values and beliefs are coupled with trustworthiness and respect, and that is what lead me down this path to the nursing profession.