Running head: Personal philosophy of nursing

Personal Philosophy of Nursing

Jessica Thomas
Old Dominion University

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Personal Philosophy of Nursing

The healthcare system is always changing; therefore, nursing must keep up with the rapid
change and growth that is associated with it. One must have a personal philosophy or belief in
regards to nursing and nursing practices. The purpose of this paper is to define nursing as it is
outlined by the Virginia State Board of Nursing, the purpose of nursing, values and beliefs about
nursing, and two principles that guide my profession as a nurse with a self-reflection.
Nursing Defined
Nursing can be defined in many ways, from a personal definition, nursing associations,
and a legal definition by the state board of nursing. Per the Virginia Board of Nursing (2016), a
registered nurse is defined as:
The performance for compensation of any nursing acts in the observation, care and
counsel of individuals or groups who are ill, injured or experiencing changes in normal
health processes or the maintenance of health; in the prevention of illness or disease; in
the supervision and teaching of those who are or will be involved in nursing care; in the
delegation of selected nursing tasks and procedures to appropriately trained unlicensed
persons as determined by the Board; or in the administration of medications and
treatments as prescribed by any person authorized by law to prescribe such medications
and treatment. Professional nursing, registered nursing and registered professional
nursing require specialized education, judgment, and skill based upon knowledge and
application of principles from the biological, physical, social, behavioral and nursing
sciences (p.5).
I agree with the Virginia State Board of Nursings formal definition as nurses today, assist
those with health disparities by providing treatments, critical thinking, and utilizing judgement in

Personal philosophy of nursing

regards to delegation. A nurse should be defined by personal beliefs, values, and attributes that
will make them a holistic caretaker.
Purpose of Nursing
The purpose of nursing is to provide the best possible care, while keeping patients safe
and abiding by the state's Nurse Practice Acts. Being competent in one's nursing practice by
continuing education and utilizing evidence-based practices can improve nursing care. The
purpose of nursing encompasses one to be compassionate for all matters of life, and being a
guide for patients, healthcare team, and community. Nurses should always put the patient first
and be an advocate for their best interests in care. While patients all come different
backgrounds, so do nurses, therefore, being able to self-identify one's purpose of nursing is
essential to give excellent care.
Personal Values
All nurses have personal values and beliefs that help guide their patient care and make
each nurse unique in their practice. As mentioned by Carney (2006), values and beliefs help
guide a healthcare worker in their evaluation, decision making, and application of practice. Some
personal values that are important to my life include: religion, family, work performance, health,
friendship, and rest/sleep. The article Introduction: Religion in Medical and Nursing Practice,
explains a clear majority feel religion has no place in healthcare while others feel religion is a
part of the individuals life and guides their decision-making process and interventions (2014). I
do use religion to help guide my patient care, in tough moments, a prayer for strength is needed,
and other moments reflecting on my teachings from the bible allow me to stay focused on the
task at hand regardless of what sinful act brought the patient to me. I treat every patient with
respect and dignity regardless of whether their religious or cultural views are different than mine.

Personal philosophy of nursing

Family is also very important value that affects my health care practice. The old wives
tale that was taught at a young age Treat all patients how I would want my family treated in that
situation. Work performance is an important value because it shows if improvements are needed
as well as an end result. These two factors in turn can help guide my nursing practice. I value my
health tremendously which includes a healthy balance of sleep. I believe if I cannot take care of
myself, how can I be accountable to care for my patients appropriately. Lastly, I value friendship
from people outside of the healthcare community, coworkers, to also include patients. When
patients depend on healthcare providers, they typically in a vulnerable situation and require a
friend-like relationship to build trust, provide empathy, and ensure they receive the best possible
care.
Nursing Beliefs
I believe nursing is a hard profession and requires great personal sacrifices from
individuals in the healthcare setting. Nurses are required to display competence, kindness,
patience, compassion, time management, and excellent critical thinking skills. If one does not
have a strong set of values and principles to assist with guidance of patient care, the stress can
ultimately burn out the nurse. Nurses need to support each other in the healthcare field to
ultimately better themselves instead of adding extra stress and controversy within the practice.
Personal Nursing Principles
Personal nursing principles that have guided my professional practice include, learning
from mistakes and act if someone is always watching. Learning opportunities are everywhere in
practice and it is dependent on the nurse to seize the opportunity. Being a new graduate nurse,
mistakes are more likely to occur, therefore acknowledging, understanding, and learning in
reference to the mistake is essential to improve practice. Many nurses are too quick to hide an

Personal philosophy of nursing

error for they feel there will be consequences for mistakes, but nurses are human too, therefore,
what makes a great nurse stand out is the ability to hold themselves accountable. I feel by being
able to self-reflect, I am an honest in my practice and improve it daily. An example from my
practice includes an instance when a patient was diagnosed with a Non-ST Segment Elevation
Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) and required heparin intervention. The emergency room has a
standard order set to follow when NSTEMI patients present and the doctor ordered a Heparin
bolus injection followed by the start of a Heparin drip. Without looking at the order, I drew up
the standard dose for the bolus and had another nurse check the amount drawn. I went to scan the
medications in our system and realized the doctor had two different boluses ordered for the
patient. I went to clarify with the doctor the bolus for heparin, and the doctor replied, No
heparin bolus should be given. I explained the orders in the system and she informed me the
order went in incorrectly and once again not to give the heparin bolus. Though the heparin bolus
would not have killed the patient, this would have been a medication error and a great reminder
to me to always question orders and verify if they are appropriate for that patient.
A second principle to maintain honesty and always ensure I provide the best care
possible, includes pretending someone is always watching my care. Patients are at their most
vulnerable state while in the hospital and it is important for nurses not to cut corners and ensure
the patient is cared for with the most appropriate care possible. A recent example of utilizing this
principle was regarding a patient brought in late at night from a nursing home. The patient was
covered in fecal matter from head to toe, and evident the patient was left in this condition for a
while. I had another nurse help me strip the patient down, clean her from head to toe, brushed her
hair back, and in a clean new gown before drawing blood and completing my assessment. Little
to my knowledge the family was outside the room and could hear me talking to her mom, and

Personal philosophy of nursing

explaining every step of the process and ensuring we would make her more comfortable while
she was with us. The family was so thankful when they entered the room, and truly made me feel
like a great nurse. This principle has never failed and kept me on track when thoughts cross my
mind to skip a step and save time with interventions.
Conclusion
The values and beliefs that a nurse holds are essential to guiding their own practice.
Reflecting on my own views of what nursing means to me and how it affects patient care is
important evaluation tool for my practice. Understanding personal beliefs and personal values
within my practice is imperative to understand how and why I care for patients and work with
the community. Nursing as a career can be a very difficult one unless one has principles that
assist in guidance of practice, such as learning from one's own mistakes, having integrity, and
always doing the right things when no one else is watching.

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References

Carney, M. (2006). Positive and negative outcomes from values and beliefs held by healthcare
clinician and non-clinician managers. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 54(1), 111-119.
doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03795.x
Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics. (2014). Introduction: Religion in Medical and Nursing Practice.
Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics, 4(3), 189-190.
Virginia Board of Nursing. (2016, July). Chapter 30 of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Retrieved from Virginia Board of Nursing:
http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing/nursing_laws_regs.htm

I pledge to support the Honor System of Old Dominion University. I will refrain from
any form of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as
a member of the academic community it is responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of the
Honor Code. I will report to a hearing if summoned.
Jessica Thomas 11/01/16