Running head: MY PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING

My Philosophy of Nursing
Michelle Duesberry-Woody
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

NUR 3240
Trina Gardner
October 08, 2014

MY PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING

My Philosophy of Nursing
My name is Michelle Duesberry-Woody. I am the Clinical Coordinator for the day shift
for the surgical floor at Mary Immaculate Hospital. According to Merriam-Webster nursing is
one of two things. It is the profession of a nurse (Merriam-Webster, 2014). This definition is
the simpler of the two. The second, the duties of a nurse (Merriam-Webster, 2014), is a much
more elaborate concept. I prefer Peplaus definition of nursing. Masters says that it is The
therapeutic, interpersonal process between the nurse and the patient (Masters, 2014, p. 69). I
believe that nursing must be therapeutic, otherwise it just a relationship. Nursing is also a
process, and I would say it is an intentional process where wholeness is the goal. This is why I
am a nurse. I believe that God has called me to minister to people in this capacity.
Leininger has my favorite definition of person, human being, family, group, community,
or institution (Masters, 2014, p. 68). This is also part of the mission of Bon Secours to help
bring communities to health and wholeness as part of the healing ministry of Jesus Christ and the
Catholic Church (Bon Secours, 2014). I believe that life begins at conception. This means that
I also believe that an unborn child can be my patient as well. That is why I like Leiningers
definition, because it means that I can be good help to any group or individual in need.
I believe that the Bon Secours values provide an environment for healing. Many of the
nursing theorists conclude that the environment is composed of internal and external
components. The internal environment is composed of how an individual feels. If an individual
feels respected, then the environment is likely to be positive. If the individual feels as though
their rights are supported and protected, then that will also contribute to a positive internal
environment. If an individual believes that their nurse respects the privacy and confidentiality of
their care then it creates an even more positive internal environment. I believe that the Bon

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Secours values of respect, compassion, justice and integrity create the kind of internal
environment that I also want to create.
The Bon Secours values of quality, innovation, stewardship, and growth help to create a
positive external environment for the individual or group. (Bon Secours, 2014) I believe that
providing excellent care is part of the core of my nursing practice. Promoting self-renewal and
seeking creative solutions to problems are also important parts of my practice of helping to
create a positive external environment. The fact that at Mary Immaculate Hospital we believe
we are on holy ground every day also helps to create a positive external environment. Each day I
strive to provide that external environment for the best possible outcomes for all individuals that
God places in my path.
I also take my definition of health from many of the nursing theorists that we have
studied. I believe that health is a continuum. I strive to help all of the individuals that I care for
to be whatever their definition of healthier is. Health is a very subjective state, and each
individual or group has an idea of what helps them to be healthier. My goal is to provide care
that allows my patients to progress on the continuum to a place where they are as healthy as they
can be.
I believe that nursing will continue to be a patient-centered vocation. I strive to keep the
individual receiving care the central focus. I also believe that nursing will continue to be a very
dynamic profession. Continuing education is vital for the future of nursing, and it is vital for my
practice. Obtaining additional education is a difficult task with a family and a full time position,
but I know the importance of education. As a nurse I know that my education will be ongoing.
After obtaining my BSN I plan to continue my education with an MSN. I do not plan on
obtaining any other degrees, but I know that I will still have to continue my nursing education

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regularly. As I do those things I know that some portions of my nursing philosophy may change.
I am looking forward to the changes that will occur as I grow as a nurse.

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References

Amer, K. S. (2013). Informatics and Technology in Professional Nursing Practice. In Quality

and Safety for Transformational Nursing: Core Competencies (3rd ed. (pp. 324-347).
[Kindle]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com
Bon Secours Health System. (2014). http://hso.bonsecours.com/about-us-our-mission-ourvalues.html
Masters, K. (2014). Role Development in Proessional Nursing Practice. [Kindle]. Retrieved
from http://www.amazon.com
Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (n.d.). http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nursing