Running head: NURSING PHILOSOPHY

My Nursing Philosophy
Arielle J. Pearson
James Madison University

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Abstract

My nursing philosophy has been built upon for the last several years starting with my initial
decision to enter into the nursing field. The route I chose for accomplishing this choice was based
on certain personal requirements involving time, money, and job availability. In school, I first
became aware of the realities of nursing which shaped my early beliefs on the profession. My
experience with nursing as a working nurse has been short, but has contributed to my philosophy
from my views of nursing as a profession and the influences to my practice. I now have
implemented goals to accomplish for myself in regards to my nursing career. These goals reflect my
values and how I have chosen to practice nursing. All of these components contribute to my
personal nursing philosophy.

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My Nursing Philosophy

In evaluating my nursing philosophy, I analyzed my journey in nursing to date. My initial

motivation towards nursing lacked depth due to the pressure of choosing the prospective career for
the rest of my life at a young age. Even so, I have been able to develop important nursing values
based on my personal beliefs and my experience. In school and in practice, I have discovered that in
professional nursing, I value compassion, competence, constant bettering of care, and much more
(Black, 2014). Keeping these values in mind and what lessons Ive learned thus far, I have set goals
for myself. After assessing all this information I can assert my nursing philosophy: Being a nurse to
me means, being competent and knowledgeable in your field and required skill set, having genuine
compassion for others health and well-being, and continuous pursuits for and provision of optimal
care. In order to possess these qualities, I must have a healthy balance of my work and my personal
life.
Initial Decision & Nursing Education
At nineteen years old, a freshman at Virginia Tech at the time, pursuing a degree in Human
Nutrition Food and Exercise in hopes of eventually becoming a Physical Therapist, I found myself
reevaluating what I truly wanted out of my life and my career. At this crucial time as a young person
trying to decide their future and considering all that doing such entails, I was understandably
confused. I knew I wanted to work with people; more specifically helping people. I wanted a job
that was fulfilling and useful, but that didnt require years of education and money. Continuing on a
pre-PT track seemed like it would have need for both years in school and a foreseeable large amount
of student loan debt. Similar to physical therapy, nursing involved helping people in a healthcare
setting but unlike it, there was an alternative education route to a four year degree. So with the help
of my mother who had just advised my sister through nursing school, I chose nursing.
Given my criteria to choose the path that did not take as much time or money and resulted in
a fulfilling and practical positon, an Associates degree seemed to be the most appropriate choice. I
took the necessary prerequisites while working full time and then applied for several two year
nursing programs. I was very content with my decision and situation, at the time. I felt as though I
had found a secret short cut to getting a job easily, quickly, and that I could be happy with. The
concern at that early time in my college experience was to pick a career that you could get a job in.
So, what better choice than nursing?
Nursing Experience

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My nursing experience began in school when my mind was opened to the reality and
intensity of being a nurse. I wouldnt describe my working experience to date as expansive, but as
new and blossoming. Im learning what I want from this profession and what I have to offer. Both
my views on what it means to be a nurse and what capabilities I possess are important to my
philosophy.
School Experience
Before starting school, I had virtually no experience with nursing other than having a sister
who was a new nurse. I knew how you became a nurse and the places you could get a job. I knew it
was a difficult path, but had no understanding of what all that entailed. To me, nursing was a
practical profession, easy to obtain and maintain. I also knew it was going to be a path that would
provide me with satisfaction in my work and contribution to the community.
The reality of the challenges I was going to face in school and onward hit me full force early
on in school. Nursing school was very difficult; the most challenging thing I had done thus far. My
thoughts on nursing, being more informed, began to be shaped. I was overwhelmed with the amount
of knowledge a nurse was expected to have. I like to feel confident in my knowledge and skills,
complete a job, and remain confident in the outcome. But in nursing school I felt overloaded with
information and very insecure about my abilities to retain all the information and have the necessary
skills to perform my job competently and with confidence.
The demanding nature of nursing also became very apparent and I questioned whether I
wanted this for myself countless times. I knew that I was capable of completing the program, but
doubted my efforts nonetheless. I quickly realized that if I finished school, became licensed, and
worked as a nurse, my life was going to be stressful. Though I function well under pressure and in a
fast paced environment, nursing seemed to be more than your average busy job. My personal life,
health, and well-being are of great importance to me; equal to that of my work. I was not willing to
sacrifice it completely for this profession. So in school, I made the decision that I did not think I
could work as a nurse in a hospital setting despite the fact that it could provide invaluable
experience in the start of my career.
In conclusion, I took away a lot of conflicting emotions and ideas about the nursing
profession during my first nursing school experience. I knew that I desired to be challenged in my
work and constantly learning and growing, and I worked best in a busy environment. However, I
lacked the self-confidence that I could do these things in this particular line of work with all thats at
stake, the information you have to be keep up with, and the constant critical thinking required. I
wanted the fulfillment I felt that I would find as a nurse but I also didnt want to fail.
Work Experience
After graduating, I relocated from the area. I believe this impacted my prospects for a job as
most of my fellow classmates were able to find a position in the facility that they had their clinical
experience. I had moved to a place where my connections were more limited and this combined
with my insecurity and hesitancy to pursue work in a hospital setting, led me on a different route
than most. I got a job at a home health company and felt that I could possibly find a comfortable

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niche here. My employer assured me that they could facilitate a new Registered Nurse with proper
training, something I thought was very important starting out. I worked with pediatric clients,
rotating among six different cases as well as filled in for a group home for cognitively impaired
adults as the head nurse. For a private duty nurse position, this gave me a lot of experience,
especially as a new working nurse. The one-on-one care enabled me to provide consistent and
thorough care with confidence. The rotation of the cases made for a busier schedule with enough of
a challenge for my satisfaction. Also, being able to help families care for their children on a daily
basis gave me the fulfillment I had wanted.
I worked for a year at this company and then my life circumstances changed. I got married
and relocated again. I found another position as a private duty nurse for a home health company.
This time, I only had one pediatric case and currently still work with this client. This position, being
less challenging and more prone to monotony, lead me to reevaluate my goals. I decided to take
advantage of the current situation and further my education and my pursuits in nursing.
Future Goals
I remain hopeful that I will find my niche in nursing. One that challenges me daily, but that I
can maintain confidence and proficiency in. Fulfilling work has also been and important aspect of
my job. Though my work experience thus far has proven to provide fulfillment in my work as far as
helping others compassionately, I think I am ready to expand on my very specialized skills and find
more satisfaction as these grow.
I have begun the process to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This venture
will aid in my future goals and plans as I work to advance my nursing practice. I have a couple of
potential areas of interest envisioned moving forward. In home health I have worked with a number
of clients with respiratory conditions as a primary diagnosis or secondary to other issues that leave
them vulnerable to respiratory problems. Because of this experience I think that a respiratory nurse
specialist would be a good option to strive for. Though highly specialized, the work could vary more
with different patients and settings. Another option Ive considered is public health nursing. This
position would utilize my ability to work independently and my desire to work with and help the
community.
Conclusion/Personal Philosophy
In conclusion, my nursing experience leading up to now, has shaped the way I view nursing
and my personal philosophy. My practice is on its way to being in harmony with [my] value
system (Denehy, 2001, p.1) as I continue to strive towards my goals keeping my philosophy in
mind. Prior to choosing nursing, I have always sought a career that allowed me to serve others
compassionately. Once I began nursing school, I realized the importance of competence in practice
and staying up to date on knowledge and skill to provide the best health care. Without this, I now
know, I dont have confidence to deliver quality care. Trying my best doesnt seem enough to give
nursing care. Doing and being my best is the only way to accomplish this. Therefore, I cannot allow
myself to be in a circumstance where I am not fully able and available to provide the best care.
Working in a field of nursing that is too high stress and involves giving up having much of a

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personal life is not an option. I have so much respect for the nursing profession. There are so many
areas of nursing and a lot of different types of nurses needed for the right job. Ive determined that
my current role and the role Ive envisioned for my future is going to be different than the majority
of nurses who work in a hospital setting.
My nursing philosophy states that a nurse is competent and proficient in their work, has a
true desire to serve others compassionately, and is always challenging themselves to provide the
best care to others. To be able to practice as a nurse and possess these characteristics and values, I
know that I must balance my work with my own personal life and well-being.

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References
Black, P. (2014). Professional Nursing: Concepts & Challenges. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier
Saunders.
Denehy, J. (2001). Articulating your philosophy of nursing. The Journal of School Nursing, 17(1),
1-2. doi: 10.1177/105984050101700101