Philosophy of Nursing

Nursing philosophies are as numerous as the people who hold them, though most reflect

the consensual obligations of care and commitment that diverse nursing organizations uphold.

My nursing philosophy was formed through professionally obtained education and my personal

values. This paper will expound upon how my philosophy of nursing was founded.

My first experience with nursing was as a consumer. I had a birth mark which if allowed

to grow, would have covered the left hemisphere of my head. With its removal I was left with

significant scarring on the left of my head and surgeries commenced from a young age to alter

my obvious differences. With exception of my family and close friends, nurses were the first

people to treat me without pity or disgust, simply as a person with needs not unlike their own.

Therefore the first component that makes up my nursing philosophy is connection. From

my personal viewpoint this encompasses seeing a person as they wish to be seen, appreciating

their traits or strengths, and promoting a viewpoint of growth. A person may have a disability or

illness but it does not define them, and nurses form connections with others to give them the

belief they can achieve personal growth when they feel they are hopeless.

The second component is dedication. Joining the military, I requested to become a

medical technician but instead was classed as a finance and budget technician. Despite never

giving up my dream, I determined to meet and exceed my professional principles, and

throughout the years created finance tools used throughout the US Air Force, and earned

numerous commendations. These afforded me the opportunity to earn a military medical

scholarship to reach my dream.

The lessons learned will carry over into my nursing profession. In line with the theories

taught by the University of Arizona and espoused by the American Nursing Association I will
remain accountable for maintaining my proficiency and advance my knowledge to ensure I

render exemplary care to those committed under my charge. Experience and knowledge gained

in any field can either be used as a foothold to hoist up others managing the same climb or a

pedestal on which to feels ones superiority. I choose the former, with the mindset that healthcare

and healthcare knowledge should be freely available to those who seek it.

Lastly, but by no means least one should remain committed to ones own care. Ignored

ligament tears and personal crisis are never cured with anti-inflammatories and anti-depressants.

Understanding ones own personal cues and allowing for time to relax is perhaps the hardest part

of my nursing philosophy. Positive emotion is not am endless wellspring, it must be replenished.

Therefore, time spent not thinking about or not doing work is not time wasted. It is instead a

means of purifying water that left alone would poison all those would come in contact with it.

Positive emotion is as tangible as touch therefore we owe to ourselves and the recipients of our

care to be the best we can achieve.

Nurses are trusted, not for their skill or knowledge of disease process but for their

empathy and nonjudgement. While technical skills are imperative, nursing is truly a holistic skill.

We will see the best and worst of human nature and need to learn to retain the good, and let go of

the worst. As a student nurse, airman, and life consumer I see that life is transitory and often

painful, and the best we can to is to provide refuge and defense to the weak, armor the willing,

and realize that compassion is not just for the dying.