Running head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 1

Personal Philosophy of Nursing Practice

Taylor Ballard

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

Christine Turner, PhD, RN

Nur 4140

October 27, 2019

Honor Code: “I pledge”

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Personal Philosophy of Nursing Practice

Developing a personal philosophy creates purpose, identifies values, and guides a

professional practice. The nursing profession is cultured on the desire to help those in need and

build healthier communities. Nursing is innovative and constantly transforming. Therefore, it is

ideal to have a mindset of personal beliefs and priorities that are at the heart of one’s own

nursing practice. The aim of this paper is to explore my own personal nursing philosophy that I

will use to guide my practice as a new nurse.

Definition of Nursing

Nursing is an art that cannot be simplified due to its multiple facets of patient care. The

field of nursing incorporates the art of science with personal experience. The American Nurse

Association (ANA) defines nursing as “the glue that holds a patient’s healthcare journey

together” (American Nurses Association, 2017). My personal definition of nursing integrates the

commitment to serve others while creating an environment to ensure patient integrity. Nurses

treat illness, educate about health outcomes, encourage health promotion, provide a listening ear,

advocate for patient care, and ensure patients are not alone during a time of vulnerability. A

nurse must empower patients to participate in their care which increases patient compliance and

establishes trust.

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing (BSMCON) has developed my nursing

background to provide holistic nursing care. Compassion, quality, and service are at the core my

nursing practice. A nurse is a lifelong learner and I have learned throughout my practicum

experiences from nursing peers, instructors, patient care techs, physicians, respiratory therapist,

and social workers. Healthcare collaboration helps nurses build on their foundation of knowledge
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and develops everlasting partnerships that improve patient outcomes. BSMCON has five nursing

philosophy tenets which includes: nursing, nursing education, caring, health, and service. The

tenet of health has taught me nurses must view health holistically addressing biological, spiritual,

mental, and social features. The tenet of service comprises serving those in need and creating a

trusting relationship with the community. Incorporating community care and resources has been

a mission of my practice and will continue to grow as I gain experience in the nursing profession.

A nurse has a professional responsibility to participate in evidence-based practice and use critical

judgement to keep patients safe. I use the tenet of nursing education to improve patient care in a

continuously developing healthcare system.

Personal Philosophy

For years I clutched on to hope to enter a profession that challenged me to make a

difference, regardless of demands. While working at a nursing home I found caring for others

gave me personal fulfillment, motivation, and excitement, which led me to choose nursing as a

career. A nursing philosophy is described as “statements of beliefs about nursing and expressions

of values that are used as a bases for thinking and acting” (Black, 2017). Patient-care is placed at

the heart of my personal philosophy. I strive to have open communication with my patients in

order to build trust. Nursing incorporates a multidisciplinary team approach in order to

accomplish effective results. I strive to partner with members of the healthcare team to have

constructive conversations with patient care as the main focus. I demonstrate dependability and

build trust between providers to ensure a culture of safety. Collaboration and creating an

environment that encourages questions and continued education is critical for my nursing

practice. I hope to continue to develop my inner fortitude by developing consistent, team-

oriented, and diligence patient care. There will be challenging moments, no doubt, but my
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nursing ethical principles will continue to guide my practice. The nursing principles taught at the

beginning of my educational experience such as justice, beneficence, nonmaleficence, fidelity,

and veracity remain part of my nursing responsibly as I continue to practice.

Values and Beliefs

Values and beliefs provide personal uniqueness and guidance. Throughout my nursing

journey moments have transpired where my values and beliefs were challenged. At times, it

takes courage and strength to keep true to moral standards and challenge others when I feel

patient care is being compromised; especially if the individual is a superior. In my previous

nursing philosophy paper, I stated “As a student nurse, I value responsibility, empathy, kindness,

client education, and advocacy. When I start to gain clinical experience, I hope my values follow

me into all situations. Patients will hopefully see my commitment to their care. I know I will

make mistakes and my values will mature; but my goal is to always put the patient first and show

I truly care.” This statement still holds true today however, I would add trustworthiness and

humility as important values I have developed. Often patients do not invest trust in healthcare

workers who lack displaying interest or respect. Humility allows a nurse to be approachable and

has shown me I can learn from anyone; I have developed the ability to accept multiple

individuals as mentors often including patients. My ego is not vulnerable if a patient suggests an

alternative method to care or if a patient care tech suggest an alternative way to perform a task, I

embrace a spirit of gratitude. As I continue to practice, I will question “what type of nurse do I

want to be” and remember to evaluate if my core values/beliefs are guiding my nursing practice.

Nurse Patient Encounter

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The ability to be present with a patient is essential and powerful. At times, it can be

difficult to find moments to truly communicate and learn about a patient. I participated in a

summer externship on the Behavioral Health Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital. On the unit, I learned

some people feel completely alone in the world and a nurse is the only person they can confide

in. I was told some individual’s deepest secrets. The ability to empathize and just listen can make

a massive impact on patient care. While on the unit, I had a patient who battled with alcoholism

after losing a child. This patient was angry and felt alone. I focused on patient centered care and

learned what I could do to help the patient be successful on their journey of recovery. I

collaborated with the treatment team members to ensure the patient had the appropriate resources

while in the hospital. I sat with the patient to schedule counseling sessions at McGuire Medical

Center and helped the patient find housing at an Oxford house. This ensured the patient would

not leave remaining homeless. In the situation, I went out of my comfort zone and researched

community resources for my patient. I stayed true to my personal nursing philosophy and

demonstrated the philosophy of Bon Secours. I helped a patient in need with respect,

compassion, and gave the best quality of care possible.

During the synthesis for nursing practice practicum, I have seen the importance of quality

improvement and my ability to change nursing practice. Throughout the practicum, I have

researched how to reduce patient fall rates on the Cardiovascular Service Unit at St. Mary’s

Hospital. I have enjoyed visiting the unit and interviewing multiple individuals on their

perception of what causes falls on the unit. The group was asked by management to focus on

targeted-toileting, a new policy put in place by the Fall Prevention Committee at St. Mary’s

Hospital. Research has show having a fall prevention champion and standardized charting for

targeted-toileting patients can reduce falls. By integrating knowledge and leadership I hope the
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unit takes our design and implements it for fall rate reduction. My confidence has improved due

to the ability to address real world nursing issues and present practical solutions. In the future, I

will take what I have learned from the synthesis course and apply the process to other nursing

issues I face in my practice.

Benner’s Theory

Patricia Benner is a nursing theorist who is known for the novice to expert model, which

was influenced by the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition. The Dreyfus model was developed by

philosopher Hubert Dreyfus (Benner, 1984). Dreyfus studied the acquisition and development of

skills by studying chest players and airline pilots (Benner, 1984). Benner applied the model to

the clinical practice of nursing. A nurse’s skill performance, professional characteristics, and

learning needs change throughout practice. Benner’s theory identifies five levels of nursing

experience/skills acquisition: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert. All

new nurses begin at the novice stage but as skills and knowledge are expanded the nurse

progresses through the stages. Nurses may become experts in one field of nursing but return to

the novice level if they switch to another area of practice.

As a future new nurse, I feel my stage of skill acquisition is novice (stage one) and

advanced beginner (stage two). As a novice I have not been exposed to many nursing situations

and do not always know what skills need to be performed. I have not had a vast amount of in-

depth patient care experience. I often have a checklist to evaluate my performance and use rules

to guide my practice. As an advanced beginner I am able to question patient care and I recognize

changes from a patient’s baseline. As a soon to be new nurse, I feel I am an advance beginner in

most areas of clinical care. I may require support for what steps to perform after recognizing a
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change in baseline or deviation in care. For example, I have been able to identify the signs of

septic shock and initiate the sepsis protocol bundle but require support from my preceptor. I have

been in prior situations where I know exactly what to do. I have worked on an Orthopedic floor

as a tech for two years and know exactly how to help combat post-operative fever. I will

continue to seek learning opportunities and look forward to the day where I have an innate

understand of the majority of patient situations I encounter.

Action Plan for Moving Forward

Environmental and cultural expansion calls for nurses to focus on career development.

The strategies I will utilize for skill acquisition include engaging in staff development programs,

encouraging evaluation strategies, continuing education, seeking a mentor for support, and utilize

what can be taught by a preceptor. I was recently hired on a floor that has a strong mentorship

program for new nursing graduates. I will be part of the career developmental program to

enhance skills and performance. Throughout nursing school, I have struggled with self-care. My

goal is to continue to reserve an hour before bed to do an activity I enjoy. Often, I enjoy reading,

watching television, deep breathing with music, or talking with others. I will also continue to

walk my dog every day. In the future, my goal is to incorporate time for the gym and hikes. I

deeply enjoy hiking but have not made it a priority due to stressors from school, work, and

family. Recently I downloaded a self-care app that I will use to develop a self-care plan which

focuses on the mind, body, and spirit.

Conclusion

Looking back at my original philosophy paper and where I am now is remarkable. I went

from having little experience to having accepted my first nursing job. I went from not knowing
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how to take a blood glucose reading to caring for patients with insulin drips. I have grown in

independence. This philosophy paper heightened awareness of my values and explored what

nursing means to me. I reflected on the impact nursing synthesis has had on my progress as a

future nurse and my ability to a leader. I have the ability to empower my patients and their

families as long as a stay true to my personal philosophy and become a positive influencer

throughout my professional career.

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References

American Nurses Association. “What Is Nursing & What Do Nurses Do?: ANA Enterprise.”

ANA, 2017, www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/.

Benner, P. E. (1984). From novice to expert: Excellence and power in clinical nursing practice.

Menlo Park, Calif.: Addison-Wesley Pub. Co., Nursing Division.

Black, B. P. (2017). Professional nursing: concepts and challenges (8th ed.). Maryland Heights,

MO: Elsevier/Saunders.