Running head: NURSING PHILOSOPHY 1

Nursing Philosophy
Kalen Thomas
Dixie State University
NURSING PHILOSOPHY 2

Nursing Philosophy
Becoming a patient in any kind of health care setting is probably one of the most
humbling experiences many people have in their lifetime. Privacy is limited, strict stipulations
are put into place and independence is often revoked. However, having a nurse who
demonstrates a strong resolve to abide by an ethical system of beliefs can make all the
difference. For this reason it is imperative that nurses abide by some form of nursing philosophy,
ideally one that is consistent throughout the entire institution. This is not to say that all nurses
have identical philosophies, just that nurses that labor within an institution develop a consistent
delivery of care. Studies have found that "Nurses may provide appropriate care but have such
different approaches that patients may experience inconsistency and confusion." (Ondrejka,
2011, par. 1) As nurses learn and practice an appropriate nursing philosophy patient satisfaction
will continue to improve and more patients will experience healing.
Nursing Theorist
Jean Watson's nursing philosophy has played a very important role in the development of
my personal nursing philosophy. She taught about four concepts that are paramount in the
healing process. These include person, environment, health and nursing. Without all four of these
concepts, healing cannot take place. In order to heal there must be a person/population to be
healed. The environment must be clean, calm, and promote human dignity. The nurse must first
take care of themselves before they can begin to take care of others, so the nurse must be in good
health. Good ways to maintain health are to strengthen your body physically, mentally and
spiritually. A balanced combination of physical exercise, time to meditate and spiritual
experiences will help nurses to maintain their health and help patients to heal. Last, in order for a
NURSING PHILOSOPHY 3

patient to heal nurses must deliver nursing care, meaning that doctors orders must be followed,
and nursing interventions must be implemented in a caring manor.
Experience in the Practice Setting
I recently worked with a nurse named Debbie on the Medical/Surgical Unit. We had a
patient that had been refusing activity because he was heavily medicated after surgery. His vital
signs soon began to show signs of atelectasis: tachycardia, tachypnea, fever, and decreased
oxygen saturation. Debbie knew that if we did not intervene the patient would develop
pneumonia. So she entered the patient's room, kneeled down by his bed and explained to the
patient what was happening. She then invited him to get up and use the restroom, walk in the hall
and use the incentive spirometer. The patient began to protest, stating that he was too tired and
weak to complete the tasks. Debbie listened intently, touched his shoulder and said that we
would be there to help him all along the way and began to help him out of bed.
My personal nursing philosophy is very similar to that of intermountain healthcare. Part
of their nursing philosophy includes the following healing commitments: "I help you feel safe,
welcome and at ease. I listen to you with sensitivity and respond to your needs. I treat you with
respect and compassion. I keep you informed and involved. I ensure our team works with you.
and I take responsibility to help solve problems. (Intermountain Healthcare Websites, 2014,
par.5)" Debbie demonstrated almost every one of these commitments and helped to instill their
importance into my own nursing practice. She showed responsibility by initiating nursing
interventions, called the patient by name, showed respect by kneeling at his bedside, she
provided information so that the patient could make an educated decision, practiced active
listening when the patient explained how he was feeling, touched the patient appropriately to
NURSING PHILOSOPHY 4

show that she cared about him , and Debbie provided comfort to the patient by telling him that
we would be there with him all along the way.
This nursing philosophy can be learned and is currently taught in nursing schools as part
of the curriculum. When nursing students witness their leaders embracing caring behaviors and
supporting them in their nursing practice, they in turn, feel cared for. (Plante, 2014, p. 210) And
I would add that they then demonstrate those same behaviors toward their own patients.
In my work as a certified nursing assistant and as a student nurse I have seen many nurses
provide patient care as described in Evidence-Based Literature. However, it only takes one nurse
to cause a patient to have a poor hospital experience. Intermountain has received national
recognition for the care they provide and from what I have observed the majority of their nursing
staff provide care as described in their healing commitments.
Conclusion
There are still nurses that work without a strict nursing philosophy, or that have difficulty
following the commitments provided by the institution for which they work. However, these
commitments can be developed with persistent effort. As they are strengthened, patient
satisfaction will continue to improve, and nurses will feel greater self-fulfillment in their work
each shift.



NURSING PHILOSOPHY 5

References
Intermountain Healthcare Websites (2014) About us. Retrieved from
intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/bearriver/about/Pages/home.aspx
Ondrejka, D., & Barnard, D. (2011). Implementing a professional nursing practice philosophy
and model: Using affective methods to address resistance. Creative Nursing, 17(3), 139-
147.
Plante, K., & Asselin, M. E. (2014). Best practices for creating social presence and caring
behaviors online. Nursing Education Perspectives, 35(4), 219-223. doi:10.5480/13-
1094.1(Plante, sdf, p. 23)
Vance, T. (March 2003). Caring and the professional practice of nursing. RN Journal. Retrieved
from http://rnjournal.com/journal-of-nursing/caring-and-the-professional-practice-of-
nursing