My Personnel Nursing Philosophy

Brad Lee Foster

Carrington College
 My personnel nursing philosophy is to be an advocate for my patient through assessment

and care planning. In order to write a nursing philosophy I had to first research the term

philosophy. I think Ernestine Wiedenbach best defines philosophy through her four elements of

clinical nursing. Philosophy: An attitude towards life and reality that evolves from each nurse’s

beliefs and code of conduct. Philosophy motivates the nurse to act, guides thinking about what to

do, and influences decision making. The basic principles of nursing care are the same today as

they were 100 years ago when Florence Nightingale was nursing. The initial assessment we do

now is the same she stressed as the most important lesson a nurse could be taught, to Observe.

“The most important practical lesson that can be given to nurses is to teach them what to observe

- how to observe- what symptoms indicate improvement - what the reverse – which are the

evidence of neglect – and what kind of neglect”. This is what we are taught to do today.

Examining the assessment process from the perception of health promotion, it becomes

one that promotes patient autonomy and empowerment. The focus is more on nursing knowledge

which helps the family understand their health experience and their own health concerns. This

removes some of the professional distance by personally engaging the family to facilitate the

understanding of the health process. “There are four elements inherent in this ontology of family

nursing assessment”. These elements include (A) possessing a human caring presence (B)

appreciating multiple perceptions (C) Respecting diversity and (D) valuing each person within

the context of the family”. By working together the nurse and family interact to develop insite

into the family situation and experience this helps the family to develop the tools needed to

manage challenges they meet in their health care. There by enhancing the families participation

and empowerment. Who(1984a) has defined health promotion as “a process of enabling people

to increase control over and to improve their health, a mediating strategy between people and
their environment, synthesizing personal choice and social responsibility in health”. In an initial

assessment we use objective as well as subjective data this done by asking questions of the

patient and if indicated the family members also. This moves the assessment from the domain of

nursing to a process were the family and nurse participate as equals. Observation, even beyond

the vital signs, auscultation, and palpation, may indicate further investigation is needed. As an

advocate it is the nurse’s responsibility to protect the patient as well as educate them. Through

assessment and education we as nurses allow the patient the knowledge to make informed

decisions.

Even though basic nursing premise has remained the same for the last 100 years, we have

progressed to the point that educating the patient is a crucial part of our assessment process. I

have found that listening to the patent and family as well as using observation skills improves

relationships with the health care professionals while empowering the patients and family

members with control over their medical care. As the advocates it is our responsibility to give the

information and tools for the patients and family members to make informed decisions.