Running head: MY PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 1

My Personal Philosophy of Nursing

Yasmin Gonzalez

Old Dominion University

MY PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 2

MY PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING

As I reflect on my own personal philosophy belief of what nursing means to me, the

variety of information that I have been exposed to during my nursing career has helped shape

what I believe to be the foundation for my profession. There are core values, ethics, and beliefs

in the nursing profession that ultimately can be universal to each individual that will practice the

nursing profession.

Nursing defined

According to The American Nurses Association,

Nursing is 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 (ANA,2017, para.1).

Moral Guide

I have been exposed to many nursing theories at this point in my nursing career that guide

my practice. Exposure to many different ideas, beliefs, and morals have been my biggest

influence in my nursing career. The purpose of my nursing care is carefully guided by protection,

safety, patient advocacy, prevention, treatment, and facilitation of healing. Ultimately, the patient

should achieve complete, whole, or total independence. The theorist that I resonant with is

Virginia Henderson. Similarly, the care I provide to my patient is guided by the 14 components

of the need theory, which can further be applied to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.” Henderson

emphasized the art of nursing and proposed 14 basic human needs on which nursing care is

based” (Alligood, 2018).

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Nursing Relationships

Abraham Flexner was a sociologist who began to develop the characteristic of a

profession. The development of these characteristics continues to guide us daily. There are eight

characteristics to describe a profession:

1. Unique body of knowledge

2. Altruistic service

3. Code of ethics

4. Lengthy socialization

5. Autonomy of practice

6. A commitment of lifelong work

7. Theoretical framework

8. Common identify

These characteristics can help describe the relationship in the dynamic world of nursing between

the client, the community, and the health-care team (Saewart, K. 2016).

Nurse and Client

The relationship between the nurse and the client is ultimately built on trust alone. The

patient is at their most vulnerable. When the patient allows a total stranger to come into their life,

it can take a toll on the individual. I make it my goal to establish trust by maintaining my image

as a professional nurse. The image of the nurse includes; dressing well, being well groomed, eye

contact, and a friendly appearance. Maintaining a professional image is important because people

gain trust by their appearance. For example, I had a patient voice her opinion on why she
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preferred my care rather than another nurse’s care. The reason behind why I gained her trust was

because I smiled. Something so simple as smiling can alter the care that the patient receives.

Nurse and Community

Nursing is a life-long commitment to serve and protect others. I feel that my job never

stops when I take off my uniform. When I am in the community my friends, peers, and family

look for advice for any questions they have regarding their health. I do my best to educate them

on material they may never have heard of or been exposed to. The groups in the community

listen attentively and voice that they are unfamiliar with this information. I feel that my job is

done because I could influence or change an individual’s life by their way of thinking.

Nurse and Health-care team

A profession must have a common identity and subculture within the practice. A common

practice that they use to identify the individuals in the health-care systems is color coding of

different roles within the healthcare system. Every position is color coded to the specific job; for

instance, the nurses in my facility wear a navy-blue color uniform. Respiratory therapists are

baby blue and nursing care partners are teal. This helps patients identify and differentiate the

health-care team. Each different member provides care unique to their position and as a group,

they treat the patient as a whole. Collaboration, such as, discussing treatment plans amongst the

health care individuals can validate the patient is receiving the best care they can receive.

Conclusion

As a recent graduate of nursing school, the ethics and vaules that I have brought forth

through knowledge, experience, and research are currently found in ANA Standard of Ethics

(ANA,2017). As I increase my knowledge through clinical experiences and furthering my

education, I become more confident in my practice. I establish trust, remain realible to all my
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patients, and adapt to their specific needs. I advocate for my patient, allowing the patient to make

sound-minded decsions on their own. Many factors influence and can be detrimental to a

person’s health. My goal is to provide knowledge to the community in addition to establishing

self-awareness for good quality of care. Finially, my career as a nurse will be anything from

short. My career will be a journey that is fullfulling with never-ending kowledge. I continue my

knowledge through education and clinical experience.

Reflection

Since establishing my license in March of last year. That passion grows stronger and

stronger each day. What I have gained from this reflection is the time and energy it takes to care

for a patient to gain complete, whole, or total independence. I am held responsible to guide my

patient to the most optimal level that they can achieve. When my patient has a difficult time

achieveing that optimal level, I am here to guide, encourage, praise, assist, and be their coach. I

have a moral obligation to take responsibility for the actions of myself and those who practice

under me. My patients’ come first when I put on that navy blue uniform.
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References

Alligood, M. R. (2018). Nursing theorists and their work (8th Ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

American Nurses Association (2017). What is Nursing?

http://www.nursingworld.org/EspeciallyForYou/What-is-Nursing

American Nurses Association. (2017). from http://www.nursingworld.org/

Saewart, K. J. (2016, October 26). Socialization to Professional Nursing., from

https://nursekey.com/socialization-to-professional-nursing/

Honor Code Statement

“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

Yasmin Gonzalez

April 7, 2018
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Criteria Meets all Meets Meets few

criteria most criteria criteria
Introduction 5-4 points 3-2 points 1-0 points
(5%) /5
Includes purpose of Meets all Meets Unclear,
the paper. criteria at high some criteria, undeveloped
level does not include
Clear, easy purpose of
to follow paper.
The student's 10 - 9 - 8 7-6-5-4 3-2-1-0
definition of nursing points points points /10
(10%) Meets all Meets Meets few
criteria at high some criteria criteria;
Borrowed or original, is level Definition not
described and explained. Clear, easy supported, or uses
to follow a dictionary/
Includes sources from encyclopedia
which you have taken selected definition
concepts (e.g. Nursing Code
of Ethics, ANA Standards of
Professional Practice, etc).

Indicates in paper if
original definition is used.

Dictionary/Encyclopedia
definitions of nursing are
not acceptable.
The purpose of 10 - 9 - 8 7-6-5-4 3-2-1-0
nursing points points points /10
(10%) Meets all Meets Meets few
criteria at high some criteria criteria
Clearly described from level.
the student's perspective.
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Clear, well
Answers questions: developed
Why do you do what discussion; easy
you do as a nurse? What to follow
influences (i.e. intuition,
calling, religious, etc.) do you
have that affect your nursing
practice?
Nursing relationships 15 – 13 11-9-7 5-3-0 points
(15%) points points /15
Meets all Meets Meets few
Discuss the relationship criteria at high some criteria. criteria.
between: level.
Describes Describes 1
 Nurses and the client in Clearly only 2 or less
a culturally diverse describes values relationships. relationships.
setting and beliefs about Discussion of Does not
 Nurses and the 3 nursing theory not well identify a theory.
community relationships. supported.
 Nurses and other Theory
dhealth care clearly supports
professionals discussion.

Identify a specific
theory or theories that support
your beliefs and values about
these
relationships.

TWO moral or ethical 15 – 13 11-9-7 5-3-0 points

principles or rules that guide points points /15
your professional practice are Meets all Meets Meets few
identified. criteria at high some criteria; criteria; poorly
level. only one developed; no
Specific example of principle or rule examples provided.
how each rule or principle identified;
has been utilized or examples given
demonstrated in your daily are general; or
practice of nursing are are not
described and analyzed. described or
(These can also be specific analyzed.
examples from your clinical
experiences if you are not yet
working as an RN). (15%)
10 - 9 - 8 7-6-5-4 3-2-1-0
points points points /10
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Conclusion: Meets all Meets Meets few

summarizes the main points of criteria at high some criteria; is criteria; is
your philosophy statement. level. wordy, or disorganized,
missing some vague, or missing
*Remember that the Summary main points. summary.
conclusion of the paper should is clear and
reiterate the main points. It concise.
should never introduce new
ideas or things not discussed
in the body of the paper. Try
not to repeat the exact
language you used in other
areas of the paper, especially
the introduction. (10%)
Reflection- Reflect on or 5-4 points 3-2 points 1-0 points
evaluate what you learned /5
from completing this Meets all Meets Meets few
assignment. (5%) criteria at high some criteria. criteria, or missing.
level.
Distinct
from summary.
Three (3) references 10 - 9 - 8 7-6-5-4 3-2-1-0
are cited in the paper and points points points /10
included on the reference list Meets all Some References
(10%) criteria at high references are are inappropriate or
level. not appropriate. missing.
References Uses 2 or fewer
are appropriate references.
for nursing paper.
Spelling and Grammar 10 - 9 - 8 7-6-5-4 3-2-1-0
(10%) points points points /10
Correct grammar, Meets all Meets Meets few
spelling and punctuation. criteria at high some criteria. A criteria. Poorly
Writing is clear, level. few mechanical edited, many
concise, organized. errors, does not mechanical errors
distract reader distracts from
too greatly. paper.

Correct use of APA 10 - 9 - 8 7-6-5-4 3-2-1-0

format. (10%) points points points /10
Meets all Meets Meets few
Adheres to 6 page limit. criteria at high some criteria. criteria. Author
Inclusion of Honor Code level. Good effort at does not
Uses proper APA demonstrate
headings, formatting. understanding of
properly cites in APA format.
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text and on
reference page
correctly with
minimal or no
errors.
Final Grade: Total points
/100
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Personal Philosophy of Nursing Revision Summary Table
APA or grammar error
Example: incorrect font
1st level heading (page2)
Grammar Error (running heading)
Direct quote (page3)
Grammar Error (page 2)
Rules on numbers
Citation (page 3)
Citation (page4)
Reference page
Grammar error (page 4)
11
Correction made, include APA page
number
Font changed to Times New Roman,
p. 228
Center, Boldface Uppercase and lower
case heading pg. 62 table 3.1
Correct spelling: Philosophy
Quote is longer than 40 words APA
6.03, p. 171. Provide the author, year, and cite
heading and number of paragraph following.
pg. 172, para. 6.05.
Characteristics
The number 8, should be written out.
Sections 4.31 and 4.32, pp.111-112.
Added citation for referencing
Flexner’s work pg. 174
Added citation for ANA Standard of
Ethics
Double spaced, capitalization and
journal reference, no retrieval date needed.
APA 4.15, p. 101 for capitalization rules for
titles on reference pages.
Identity
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