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My Nursing Practice: A Personal Philosophy Of Nursing

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Recognizing the importance of self-identity, Oscar Wilde famously stated, “Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation” (Wilde, 2007, p. 1084). Believing that most people merely parrot the ideas of others, never acknowledging one’s own uniqueness and comprehending whom they truly are; Wilde knew that understanding oneself was a rare quality, important for being able to think freely. However, while the consequences of being unable to identify one’s own values are relatively insignificant in normal life, in nursing, understanding oneself is crucial for providing competent care. Therefore, as nurses, it is of utmost importance to develop a personal philosophy of nursing, …show more content…

In the first instance, the direct application of nursing, relationships between nurse and client are established and treatments are provided. I consider myself privileged that my profession takes as its central focus, the care of others. Thus, I try to be as competent as I can, remembering theoretical knowledge, continually reflecting on past interactions, and applying concepts. I am dedicated to improving my own abilities, as it directly affects the level of care that I am able to provide, and the well-being of the client. Being responsible for the client’s health, I try to optimize every interaction to create a more positive environment conducive to growth. Seemingly inconspicuous actions such as warming the bell of a stethoscope, asking the patients if their current bed position is comfortable, and informing them and educating them about the rationale behind assessments and procedures, all contribute to positive change. Through these actions, patients concerns are considered, they are treated respectfully, and they are informed, furthering the nurse-client relationship. This therapeutic relationship also allows me to practice my skills of inspection and observation, developing my competencies as a nurse, and allowing me to familiarize myself with social cues and respond to them correctly. Furthermore, every …show more content…

This philosophical framework also serves as a guideline to enforce important nursing values used to guide health care practice. It embodies all of the actions that allow for greater well-being and is, therefore, congruent with the ethical guidelines of nursing practice. Achieving this alignment between my philosophy of nursing which is based upon my values and beliefs, and the ethical guidelines of nursing practice, is key to enhancing health care as a whole, as it reduces any potential conflicts of interest, which can negatively impact care. Moreover, due to this alignment, dealing with moral dilemmas will be significantly easier, as fewer conflicting views on treatments, decisions, and patient choices, will occur, leading to less moral distress. In turn, this will lead to lower levels of stress and fewer interprofessional and intraprofessional conflicts, creating a positive working environment required for growth. Furthermore, being congruent with nursing values allows for authenticity and genuineness, as leading to therapeutic relationships conducive to greater care. Therefore, the nurse-client relationship will flourish, leading to better health care and growth. The respect for life is one example of a nursing value that is enforced through my philosophy, as non-maleficence focuses

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