Personal Nursing Philosophy Paper

Articulation of a personal nursing philosophy encompasses the examination of one’s values, beliefs, and principles that direct nursing care. Throughout my education and experiences as a nurse, I inadvertently formed a set of values and beliefs or my nursing philosophy. My nursing philosophy is a result of the knowledge acquired from education and my interactions with patients, family members, caregivers, and coworkers. As long as I can remember I have had a desire to care for others. My day to day philosophy is centered on treating every person with a caring attitude and with respect towards their beliefs and any decisions they make.
I believe that to be an effective nurse one must be able to deliver the “ art” of caring, and have the initiative
Oppositely, I feel that my perspectives have been broadened to appreciate more my profession and my values have become stronger. My personal values and beliefs have been the same since I can remember and I have not experienced any personal conflict yet, that have lead me to deconstruct any of those beliefs. Contrarily, caring for and being with terminally ill patients and their families has changed how I see the world and has reinforced my initial philosophy of care. Working as a hospice nurse has made me see nursing, life and death differently, for the better I might add. Spiritual phenomena usually related to the dying process; like near death experiences, have incited me to stop seeing death as end of life. Observing the dying process has taught me to see death as process that teaches those who are still alive how to live more graciously. I have learned that for most patients caring means to be present, to listen, to hold their hand, and to respect their
Knowing what I know now about the dying process has reinforced my beliefs and my personal philosophy about treating each person with care, dignity, and respect; focusing on treating others how I would wish to be treated one day. My nursing philosophy addresses persons, environment, health, and nursing. I see persons as inimitable beings, full of lifetime experiences, that deserve to be treated with dignity, care, and respect. Environment are the different social and physical settings where individuals exist and interact with each other. Health is person’s subjective observation of his or her well-being and the scope to which each human being can function in his or her role. Nursing is a caring relationship based on trust and respect that assists and supports individuals to maintain and recover health, to reduce the effects of disease, or to live the best possible life if they are terminally