Running head: MY NURSING PHILOSOPHY 1

My Nursing Philosophy

Miguel Rivera

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

NUR 3240

Deanna Allison

I pledge.

June 23, 2019

MY NURSING PHILOSOPHY 2

My personal philosophy of nursing can be summarized as a way of healing others. My

philosophy views nursing as an art and a science. To me, the art of nursing means involving not

just the patient but their family as well. It is about knowing how to connect with those around

me through caring and compassion. It is important to establish an environment that promotes

healing. Nursing is also a science. Nurses are taught theory in their education in order to

comprehend a patient’s disease process. They are taught the correct medications and

interventions that guide individualized patient care. As a new to practice nurse, I am prompted of

the four metaparadigm concepts of nurse, person, environment, and health.

I have encountered so much in my short time as a nurse and still have much to learn. The

one thing that has remained constant with me, is my ability to heal. I have often wondered how

does someone one like me heal others when that should be the physician’s job. My philosophy of

nursing views the person as a whole. Healing others requires the nurse to look at the person

holistically (considering mind, body, and soul equally).

The type of care I provide can be reflected in Watson’s philosophy based on 10 carative

factors. “Watson refers to the clinical caritas processes as the “core” of nursing, which is

grounded in the philosophy, science, and the art of caring” (Masters, p 55). Watson took into

consideration the mind, body, and spirit as a whole, promoting harmony, wholeness, and

comfort. Nurses are guided by the reciprocal transpersonal relationship in caring moments

guided by carative factors and caritas process (Masters, p. 54).

Nursing as a way of healing is to view them greater than the sum of their parts. The

metaparadigm of the concept of the environment also plays a critical role in healing. My

philosophy of nursing does not limit the concept of environment to just external factors. Internal

and social factors play and important role as well. Patient X struggled to pay her mortgage every
MY NURSING PHILOSOPHY 3

month, impeding the ability to afford the proper healthcare treatment. On a brighter note, it was

important for her to be in an environment that included her social support network to assist in the

decision making process of her health care. My philosophy of nursing values the importance of

his/her environment. The patient in an environment conducive to his/her recovery promotes a

greater sense of wholeness, a deeper spirit of oneself. My philosophy of nursing views health as

a dynamic process. One’s lived experience is unique to the individual. For example, Patient X

experiences different circumstances that can interfere in her road to recovery. Patient X was

being admitted for shortness of breath related to her congestive heart failure. Patient X also

suffers from anxiety. This anxiety becomes a threat to her wellness. One way of helping relieve

her anxiety was using effective communication skills such as active listening and therapeutic

touch and silence. She was allowing herself to achieve an emotional release. Release of pent up

guilt/grief from her husband’s passing 3 years ago along with trying to maintain a healthy

relationship with her daughter who means well but is hypercritical of her self-care. She also

realized she was incontinent of both bowel and bladder but politely refused assistance and

always requested the necessary items to keep herself dry and clean. Patient X was always

appreciative of all the care provided and was proud of all the things she was still capable of

accomplishing. It is this gain of trust via a therapeutic relationship that facilitates the healing

process.

The two values reflected most in my nursing care are human dignity and compassion.

Any and all biases are checked at the door and I treat everyone, from 3 week old babies to

inmates, exactly the same. I come into contact with patients of diverse ethnic and cultural

backgrounds on a daily basis. And despite those backgrounds, I still provide safe and ethical
MY NURSING PHILOSOPHY 4

care. One must always remember to be understanding and compassionate. One must not forget,

that sometimes, we are the only light during a patient’s darkest time.

My philosophy is constantly shaped by the desire for knowledge and care for people.

Each person deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. My duties are to gain trust from

both patients and family, be kind and comforting, have patience, provide information and

guidance to the best of my ability, be understanding of the individual’s situation, provide humor,

and provide non-biased, supportive care with a smile.

MY NURSING PHILOSOPHY 5

References

Masters, K. (Ed.). (2017). Frameworks for professional nursing practice. Role Development n

Professional Nursing Practice (4th ed., pp. 49-98). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett

Learning.