Nursing Philosophy

I view nursing as a combination of the many aspects of health care, all intertwined to form an honorable profession. Nursing is not just caring for a client who is ill, nursing is also about providing the support that clients and families may need during a health crisis. Nursing not only enables one to care for the client, but also to care for the client's family in any way possible. A nurse should provide both the family and patient with comfort and a sense of belonging and importance. A nurse would typically care for families by offering emotional support and being as informative to the family about the given situation, as possible. In addition, a nurse is one who provides a more holistic form of health care. I believe that nurses should strive to tend to the mind and spirit, rather than placing focus on the body alone. Not only is nursing considered a profession for an individual and his or her family, nursing encompasses providing care to both communities and groups alike. Nurses do not work only in hospital settings. Nurses may also work outside of hospital walls to promote health and well-being among community members and societies.

When I think of a nurse, I think of somebody who is kind, caring, responsible and knowledgable. Nurses recognize that people are individuals, but also treat them with respect, honor and equality. The nurse is someone whom advocates for the patient in an attempt to ensure that he or she receives the best care. It is a nurse's duty to never act in a way that could harm the client. Nurses should be there to provide the care and time necessary to maintain maximum health potential, while the other team members may not have the time to spare. It is up to a nurse to realize that the life of a client or clients is in his or her hands and they need to be committed to providing the best care they can because it is the description of their profession to do so. A nurse should always feel confident about the care being given and if at all in doubt, always ask questions and ask for help from colleagues.

While this profession gives the opportunity for autonomy, a nurse is always part of a larger team that works together to help clients obtain optimal health. A nurse should always provide clients with privacy, comfort, and confidentiality, none of which will ever be taken away to break the trust between clients and nurse. It is important for clients and nurses to form a meaningful relationship in which they can communicate effectively, trust each other, and help one another.

Nurses must always actively research. Research is an important part in providing the best care possible to clients and may also provide clients with alternatives, whether they be treatments, medications, diets or specialty doctors. It is through research that we as nurses can advance our profession. In addition to researching, nurses must also stay current with health care by taking educational courses that will not only refresh what has been learned in the past, but also teach new methods or necessary information to provide optimal care to clients.

I believe that health is a state of being where one’s mind, body, and spirit are all in harmony and is experiencing no pain or discomfort and this is what all clients should experience once they have received care. I also believe that a part of health is having a healthy environment. The environment that we live in greatly effects our health, and it is important to try our best to maintain a healthy environment that way people can also maintain a healthy life.