Preview

My Personal Nursing Philosophy

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
737 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
My Personal Nursing Philosophy
Nursing Philosophy

Mary Bartley

Broward College

The integration of nursing theories with a philosophical perspective lays the framework for nursing practice (McCurry, Revell & Roy, 2008). My philosophy of nursing is to provide holistic care meeting the physical, social, economic, cognitive, and spiritual health of a person. This philosophy embraces the four elements of the nursing metaparadigm, which is person, environment, health, and nursing. While theorists have differing concepts and definitions of nursing, the American Nurses Association (ANA), defines it as follows; “Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations” (Nursingworld, 2013).
Theories are used to guide our daily practice. While I may use the approach of one particular theorist throughout my practice, it should be clearly stated that different theories are applicable based on the presenting case. The theory of “Culture Care Diversity and Universality” by Madeline Leininger mirrors my philosophical goal by appropriately addressing patient needs and nursing values during every patient encounter. Caring is the foundation of nursing practice, hence many theories are built on this concept (McFarland & Eipperle, 2008). Recognizing diversification and universality promotes not only physical health but considers the socioeconomic status and spiritual beliefs of the patient. According to (McCurry, Revell & Roy, 2008), we are currently faced by a world that is divided by economic status, cultural and religious beliefs. Being sensitive to these issues when caring for the patient is essential to being a culturally competent health professional.
Maintaining cultural competence in daily



References: Lowe, J., & Archibald, C. (2009). Cultural diversity: the intention of nursing. Nursing Forum, 44(1), 11-18 Maier-Lorentz, M. (2008). Transcultural nursing: its importance in nursing practice. Journal Of Cultural Diversity, 15(1), 37-43. McCurry, M., Revell, S., & Roy, S. (2010). Knowledge for the good of the individual and society: linking philosophy, disciplinary goals, theory, and practice Woods, M. (2012). Exploring the relevance of social justice within a relational nursing ethic. Nursing Philosophy, 13(1), 56-65

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Emerging Standards

    • 1989 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Diversity is exhibited in many ways, including a multiplicity of upbringing, dress, thought, lifestyle, values, food preferences, family relationships, and in gender, ethnicity, and age. These factors exist throughout the gamut of health care patients and the interactions designed with the nurses who care for them. Diversity in healthcare refers to the cultural setting in how the patient lives and in some measure defining their connection to healing, health, and their own role in the nurse to patient relationship (University of Phoenix, 2012).…

    • 1989 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    My Philosophy of Nursing

    • 722 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In order to define a personal philosophy of nursing, it is very important to understand the meaning of the term “philosophy”. As for me, this issue can be perfectly addressed with the definition that presents philosophy as a specific attitude towards life and reality that evolves according to the beliefs of each nurse (Edwards, 1997). This definition is really useful as it gives the freedom to use my own beliefs and experience to talk about this issue. The real nature of nursing is quite diverse, and it has been always a subject for a discussion among professionals trying to define whether nursing is a science or an art. I see that there is a place for both these terms when we talk about real nursing practice (June, 2004). The attitude towards nursing in my personal life has been forming through the years, beginning with my first dreams of becoming a nurse that were motivated with the desire to wear white uniform like people that I saw on television. However, as the time passed, my vision of nursing has gone through serious changes. I understood that nurse is not just a person in a uniform, but a professional who can make differences in a patient’s life. During the period when I was trying to make my final decision about the future professional career, I was lucky to be able to talk to…

    • 722 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I believe that the core of nursing is to provide quality nursing care while taking into account the patient and their family member’s beliefs, customs, and traditions. Treating each patient compassionately and empathetically regardless of his or her color, race, and nationality. Recognizing and addressing their cultural and religious beliefs establishes a healthy and positive relationship between the nurse and the patient.…

    • 571 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Buldin, S., 2005. Nursing as Caring Theory: Living Caring in Practice. Retrieved march 30, 2009…

    • 1943 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Cribbin, M. (2011, May). Philosophy of nursing: Improving the environment, improving myself. Nevada RNformation, 20(2), 15. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/874154230?accountid=35812…

    • 1494 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Philosophy of Nursing

    • 1980 Words
    • 8 Pages

    For as long as I can remember I have been overwhelmed with a longing desire to care for those in need, and I feel this ultimately led me to the career choice of nursing. I feel most fulfilled when I am serving and caring for others, and my personal nursing attitude is one that is centered on compassion and service. According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary (2012), a philosophy is “an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs,” and before entering to the profession of nursing, it is important to explore my personal values and principles that will guide my nursing practice. My philosophy of nursing incorporates the knowledge of medicine while combining it with relational, compassionate caring that respects the dignity of each patient. My philosophy is one that focuses on the empowerment each patient in the delivery of holistic nursing care. This paper will explore the values I feel are necessary in relating to patients as well as health professionals, my personal work culture, and society as a whole.…

    • 1980 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Health care providers encounter and care for patients from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Whether in the hospital, clinic, or physician office setting health care providers must be aware and prepared to address and care for patients and families that are not only of varied cultures but religions as well. In a country where such a variety of cultures and religions exists, health care providers must be prepared to provide the best quality care which includes culturally and spiritually sensitive care. A nursing theory which was created to address this diversity, is the Transcultural Nursing Theory also known as Culture Care Diversity and Universality Theory.…

    • 1796 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The United States is comprised of many cultures within a culture. America is composed of a variety of people who all have different beliefs and traditions, as well as their own unique set of beliefs regarding their healthcare practices. One such group is the Hispanic Americans who have their own very diverse cultural group. As individuals, they are just like anybody else in any other culture. However, it is worthwhile for a nurse caring for someone from this culture to know what their distinct cultural beliefs are. People belonging to a Hispanic cultural group are highly attached to the beliefs and values of their culture and follow them in every aspect of their life (Gallo, 2003). Interestingly, their cultural beliefs even influence the decisions related to their healthcare. Hence, this is the reason why in order to meet their patient’s cultural needs, it’s important for people working in the nursing profession to understand the cultural values, traditions and practices related to the aspect of health and medical care during life transitions. The viewpoint of the Hispanic cultures healthcare practices will be presented through the lens of the Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Assessment Model, in order to define a deeper understanding of their beliefs.…

    • 2143 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    We often hear that nursing is an art and a science, and I firmly believe that. The way a nurse blends those aspects of care defines the nurse. As nurses, our roles in our patients’ lives vary depending on their needs. We are teachers as well as technical experts, and our ultimate goal is to ensure our patients and families are ready to take over when the patient no longer requires our care.…

    • 1583 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Cultural Competence

    • 824 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In our society, nurses don 't have to travel to faraway places to encounter all sorts of cultural differences, such as ethnic customs, traditions and taboos. The United States provides plenty of opportunities for challenges stemming from cultural diversity. To be culturally competent the nurse needs to learn how to mix a little cultural understanding with the nursing care they offer. In some parts of the United States culturally varied patient populations have long been the norm . But now, even in the homogeneous state of Maine where we reside, we are seeing a dramatic increase in immigrants from all over the world. These cultural differences are affecting even the most remote settings.…

    • 824 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Nursing is based on caring in nursing. Compassion and concern for protecting and enhancing the…

    • 1488 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    My personal philosophy reinforces the existing nursing theories, because it borrows heavily from Jean Watson theory of Human Caring. The main defining elements of my philosophy are respect for life and dignity of every person. This implies that the theory takes into consideration the various physical, spiritual and environmental needs required by patients to attain the anticipated health outcomes. For this reason, my personal philosophy places a greater responsibility on the nurse to create a favorable environment of promoting health for the…

    • 289 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The metaparadigm of nursing has four major concepts that establish direction and understanding in the nursing profession. The nursing metaparadigm includes knowledge base, philosophy, research, theory, practice, and educational experience (Nursing Theories, 2013). Nursing theories address the same four concepts: the person (the recipients of nursing care including individuals, families, and communities), the environment (the surroundings of the client internally and externally), health (the client’s state of well-being), and nursing itself (the action taken while providing care to a patient) (Friberg, 2011). These concepts should direct nursing practice within an organization and individual nurses’ practice.…

    • 1096 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    My Nursing Philosophy

    • 615 Words
    • 3 Pages

    I chose nursing as my profession because I wanted to make a difference and helping those in need. I have always been interested in the health sciences field since middle school – but I truly didn’t exactly know what I wanted to do until my last semester of my undergraduate at Texas Woman’s University. I realized that I wanted to be more hands on with patients and involved in their care. In my opinion, nursing is defined as a healthcare profession that focuses on the care of individuals, their families, and communities in order to reach their optimal potential for a healthy life. The four components (Patient, Nursing, Environment, and Health) of nursing will help me to be able to develop my philosophy of nursing.…

    • 615 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Philosophy of Nursing

    • 881 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Each person may have an individual perspective about nursing. For professional nurses, interactions within their careers lead to the development of different philosophies and theories of nursing. As they build experience, knowledge may reshape these theories based on different situations they have encountered. The responsibility of a nurse is not limited to simply attending to patients at the bedside. Nurses not only provide comfort care, but must educate, communicate, and improve the health status of the patients and families with whom they work.…

    • 881 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics