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Running Head: PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 1

Philosophy of Nursing

Rena Baradi

Old Dominion University


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Philosophy of Nursing

Formulating a philosophy for a chosen career allows for proper navigation in professional

practice. Reviewing my previous beliefs in nursing from my first semester to my last, gives me

the opportunity to reflect on my true intentions of choosing the nursing profession. The purpose

of this writing assignment enables me to rediscover my personal philosophy of nursing as it

exists upon the completion of the baccalaureate nursing program. In the first semester of nursing

school, I described nursing as caring for others until they become well enough to support

themselves and acquiring and applying knowledge of illnesses to better educate and promote

healthy lifestyles. Although this remains true, what is important to acknowledge is that I need to

care for myself (physically and mentally), as well. When nursing students are asked, “Why do

you want to be a nurse,” the popular answer is “I want to help others.” Although this is a true

statement, no one benefits if the caregiver fails to care for herself. I have always been one to put

others’ well-being before mine, but I now understand that how I physically feel will manifest in

how I care for others. Additionally, I need to have a strong grasp on my own beliefs and morals

to guide my life purpose.

In my Professional Outlook assignment, I described the nursing profession as the life

cycle of a tree, with the tree being the patient, the nurse as a farmer who constantly watches the

tree grow, and water being patient care and education. Without adequate water, the quality of life

will decline. My early philosophy included nurses caring for the patients until they can live on

their own again without assistance. The environment plays a role in how a patient can recover.

Similar to my tree analogy, the environment of proper water, light, and nutrition contribute to the

wellness of the patient. Health requires looking at the patient holistically incorporating physical,

mental, and spiritual health and reviewing whether these factors are balanced.
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As I complete my last semester of nursing school, the challenges I have before me are

enticing. All the obstacles I have overcome in school and the clinical setting have been preparing

me for the career I have chosen. I understand I still have so much to learn, and the truth is

nursing includes continual learning, but I feel adequately prepared to face new obstacles because

of my education. This paper will further discuss how I view the nursing profession by defining

nursing and its purpose; my values, beliefs, and assumptions; and guiding principles for

professional practice.

Definition of Nursing

The American Nurses Association (ANA) defines nursing as “the protection, promotion,

and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, facilitation of healing,

alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in

the care of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations” (“What is Nursing?”).

ANA’s definition of nursing validates nurses’ influence on the health of the community, not just

the individual. Nurses play a great role in health education and attending to those who are

already sick and to those who are at risk for failing health. Additionally, nurses must work

closely with all the members of the healthcare team as they are at the frontline of patient status

observation.

ANA’s loaded definition hits all the duties and responsibilities of nurses, but lacks the

most important aspect of nursing that sets the profession apart from other healthcare careers,

which is the characteristic of holistic care. Nurses are directly involved in patient care, carrying

out care plans created with the healthcare team. Nursing involves holistic care, including

physical, emotional, and spiritual factors of the client (Shahriari, Mohammadi, Abbaszadeh, &
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Bahrami, 2013). Although treatments to aid physical signs and symptoms of illnesses are

essential, attending to mental health is just as important. If a patient has a negative mindset of his

health condition, he may lack the motivation to become better, which greatly relates to his

physical health. Additionally, nurses can obtain a lot of valuable information on the patient’s

lifestyle, culture, and environment affecting health.

Purpose of Nursing

I believe the essential purposes of nursing are advocating for those who do not have a

voice and promoting optimal health. In the clinical setting, I practice and act the way I do

because of how I perceive my own personal purpose in life. As a human, altruism is instinctual

because we see aspects of ourselves or our loved ones in others. Moreover, we treat others the

way we would like to be treated. For me, nursing is the best profession that fits my ideology.

Everyone has intuition for a reason. We react to certain situations because we have either

experienced something similar or we may act in the same way if we were in the same position.

Additionally, as social beings, we have the ability to distinguish verbal and non-verbal social

cues.

Values and Beliefs

On a personal note, I am beyond blessed and grateful for my health and well-being. As a

human, I want to help others reach their own optimal health environment. To not mention my

Christian faith regarding my daily actions would be a disservice. As a believer, all the people I

encounter are my fellow brothers and sisters, and just as I would provide care for my own

family, I would care for those who are put before me. I value life. No one “wants” to be in pain

or be placed in a care facility. There tends to be the feeling of being a burden to others when
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people can no longer take care of themselves. The great thing about nursing that caused me to

gravitate to the profession is the aspect of holistic care. Not only do we assist patients with their

physical ailments, but there is the mental/emotional and spiritual focus. It is undeniable that the

mental health of an individual greatly affects their physical condition. For example, if a patient

believes his condition will never improve, he will not get better, especially after self-care neglect

after a prognosis. I want to be a vessel of hope to those who are hopeless. Additionally, I am a

firm believer in the power of Jesus Christ. Although I will always fall short of His glory, I strive

to live like Him. I want my daily actions to reflect His life, and I may be the only “Bible” that

some may ever see. Regardless if the people placed in my care share the same faith, I will always

care and respect all patients with the same compassion.

Assumptions of Nursing

The nurse can validate his or her professional practice by reflecting on the relationships

nurses have with clients, the community, and other healthcare professionals.

Nurses and the Client

The focus of Florence Nightingale’s Environment Theory involves altering the patient’s

environment to promote optimal health. Environmental factors that affect health include clean air

and water, adequate food supplies, hygiene, and exposure to light (Medeiros, Enders, & Lira,

2015). The patient’s health would diminish if any of these factors were unavailable. It is

especially important to obtain information on a patient’s culture to provide focused care. For

example, if a patient had a low socioeconomic status, many of these environmental factors would

be lacking, including insufficient food and clean water availability. As a nurse, it is important to
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assess the patient for any disparities and provide resources or referrals to promote optimal patient

care.

Nurses and the Community

I believe one of the purposes of nursing is to promote optimal health in the community.

Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring is inclusive to everyone, including caring for oneself,

others, patients, families, and the environment. Watson focused on the social environment and

the culture of caring affecting health (“Jean Watson's Philosophy of Nursing”, 2012). To fix a

problem, one must first recognize and understand what the problem is. This involves collecting

and assessing information on arising issues in the community, promoting education, and

evaluating effectiveness. As a future healthcare professional, it is important to be involved with

the community and up-to-date with epidemics and other health issues that may arise.

Nurses and Other Healthcare Professionals

It is important to always keep care patient-focused. This involves teamwork with all

members of the healthcare team. Dororthea Orem’s Self -Care Deficit Theory incorporates the

biopsychosocial factors, such as physical, psychological, interpersonal and social aspects of

human functioning to promote optimal patient care (“Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Theory”, 2012).

Orem’s nursing theory is best demonstrated when the nurse communicates to a physical therapist

on the patient’s inability to walk without assistance. The physical therapist will then work on

helping the patient regain mobility. As a nursing student, we have more face-to-face time with

the patient. When creating a good rapport with the client, we learn valuable information that the

other healthcare team members may have not learned, and we can properly share that

information to create the best patient care plan.


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Guiding Principles for Professional Practice

Understanding of one’s own beliefs and principles allows for the guidance of professional

practice. My moral responsibility as a nurse involves caring for the individual wholeheartedly

because the person involved is someone else’s family member. In other words, I would provide

the utmost care to a patient, the same way I would want a healthcare professional to care for my

family. One ethical principle that is especially important in the nursing field is nonmaleficence,

or doing no harm (Bhanji, 2013). If a patient is placed in my care, it is my responsibility and duty

to ensure the safety of the client. In a previous clinical, I was caring for a patient who had

allergies to penicillin antibiotics. Oddly enough, the patient was prescribed scheduled penicillin

medication. I immediately informed the nurse of the contraindication, in which she explained the

situation. The patient ended up having minimal side effects, but was still using the scheduled

medicine. Although the situation was attended to prior to my knowledge, it was valuable to

notify the nurse to ensure the patient’s safety.

With any diagnosis or disease, there is a cause (whether it is obvious or not). Anything

we do to our bodies affects our overall health. As a nurse, it is important to ensure the patient

understands the consequences of their actions. A second valuable ethical principle is autonomy,

which allows an individual to make decisions for himself without the interference of others

(Bhanji, 2013). For example, a patient I met was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease evidenced by decades of smoking. I talked with the patient to ensure he was educated on

the effects of smoking and what is occurring internally. During hourly nursing rounds, I visited

the patient and his room reeked of used cigarettes. It was evident that the patient smoked in the

bathroom. The charge nurse spoke with the patient who denied the situation. The patient was

provided all the information, yet he continued to make his own poor decision. It is evident that in
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the healthcare profession, not all patients will be obedient. However, this does not mean we

should not stop trying to help as it is our duty for people to be educated on their actions.

Conclusion

Everyone needs to reflect on his or her own beliefs to create a philosophy that guides

professional practice. Based on one’s experience, his or her philosophy may change, and this is

okay because there is always room for growth and development in a career. The nursing

profession involves building a strong rapport with clients, the families, and other healthcare

professionals to reach a goal. Nurses have many duties and responsibilities, including helping

those who are already sick and preventing others from getting sick. Learning about nursing

theories and concepts has helped me formulate my own perspective on the nursing profession.

Although I have had a great experience throughout my nursing school clinicals, I still have so

much to learn, and I am excited for what is to come. My philosophy from my first semester has

not changed, rather it was validated with new knowledge and clinical experience, thus

strengthening my values and beliefs. My personal philosophy acts as my moral compass in the

professional setting, keeping me on track on what I believe is best for the patient’s care and my

personal success. Reflection on my own philosophy allows me to harness what I really want out

of my future career.
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References

Bhanji, S. M. (2013). Health Care Ethics. Journal of Clinical Research and Bioethics.

doi:10.4172/2155-9627.1000142

Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Theory. (2012, February 4). Retrieved February 02, 2018, from

http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/self_care_deficit_theory.html

Jean Watson's Philosophy of Nursing. (2012, January 26). Retrieved February 02, 2018, from

http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/watson.html

Medeiros, A., Enders, B., & Lira, A. (2015). The Florence Nightingale’s Environmental Theory:

A Critical Analysis. SciELO, 19(3). doi:doi.org/10.5935/1414-8145.20150069

Shahriari, M., Mohammadi, E., Abbaszadeh, A., & Bahrami, M. (2013). Nursing ethical values

and definitions: A literature review. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research,

18(1), 1-8.

What is Nursing? (n.d.). Retrieved February 02, 2018, from

http://nursingworld.org/EspeciallyForYou/What-is-Nursing
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Honor Code

“I pledge to support the Honor System of Old Dominion University. I will refrain from any form

of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a

member of the academic community it is responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of the

Honor Code. I will report to a hearing if summoned.”

Signature: ___Rena Baradi (electronically signed)___________________

Date: __2/2/18___________________________________________
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Philosophy of Nursing
NURS 314: Nursing Theories and Concepts
NURS 481: Role Transition

Purpose of Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to enable the student to rediscover his or her personal
philosophy of nursing as it exists upon the completion of the baccalaureate nursing program.

Student Approach to Assignment


As a soon-to-be graduate of nursing school, it is valuable to assess and reflect on my
beliefs and feelings regarding the profession I have chosen, which guides my actions in the
professional setting. Not everyone who is a nurse has the capabilities of being a “good” nurse,
such as compassion and empathy. This assignment validates why I chose the nursing profession.
Although my previous nursing philosophy has not changed since the beginning of nursing
school, I have clinical experience that supports my beliefs.

Reason for Inclusion of this Assignment in the Portfolio


This required writing assignment demonstrates my previous beliefs of the nursing
profession and my ever-growing development in practice. This assignment was essential as it
allowed me to review previous definitions of nursing and adjust them as needed after many
semesters of clinical experience. I was able to reflect on my clinical experiences to validate the
reasons why I chose a path in nursing.

 Critical Thinking
 Uses nursing and other appropriate theories and models to guide professional
practice
 Example: In the “Assumptions of Nursing” section of the philosophy
assignment, I utilize three different nursing theories that are valid when
describing the nurse’s relationship with the client, the community, and
other healthcare professionals. The three theories described are
Nightingale’s Environment Theory when promoting optimal patient
health; Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, which includes collecting
information on the environment to create plans to solve an issue in the
community; and Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory, which involves
teamwork of the healthcare team and incorporating biopsychosocial
factors.
 Leadership
 Articulates the values of the profession and the role of the nurse as member of the
interdisciplinary health care team
 Example: In the “Guiding Principles for Professional Practice” section, I
provide an example from my clinical experience that had the potential to
negatively affect a patient’s safety. I immediately reported the issue to the
nurse. It is valuable to bring up any concerns to those part of the patient
care team to promote optimal patient safety.
 Professionalism
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 Applies an ethical decision-making framework and legal guidelines to clinical


situations that incorporate moral concepts, professional ethics, and advocacy for
patient well-being and preferences
 Example: In the section “Guiding Principles for Professional Practice,” I
review two ethical principles valid in nursing practice, including
nonmaleficence and autonomy. Additionally, I include examples of patient
scenarios, in which these two ethical principles guided my practice.
Moreover, I briefly review my moral responsibility as a future nurse.
 Culture
 Integrates knowledge of cultural diversity in performing nursing interventions
 Example: In the “Assumptions of Nursing” section, I review the nurse’s
relationship with the client, the community, and members of the healthcare
team. When it comes to patient care, it is especially important to collect all
valid information, including environmental factors and socioeconomic
status, that affect patient health resources. Additionally, to solve issues
that exist in the community, nurses have to ascertain what the issue is.
This includes being involved in the community and up-to-date on research
and epidemics.

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