Abstract
In this paper, I focus on my personal nursing philosophy and the way I will use it to guide myself through my nursing career. My conviction is that nursing should readily embrace all possible dynamics to ensure that quality care is the first priority at any given time. Nursing must also go beyond the basic healthcare that involves treating patients to considering the personal needs of each patient. This connection is essential in making him/her feel relaxed and comfortable as they undergo medical treatment. To promote the best nursing practices, I believe there should be strong relations within the healthcare fraternity with the aim to improve patient care. My philosophy also considers the communities around, within which I must work ensuring that quality health for all is achieved without exceptions.
Personal Philosophy of Nursing
Introduction
Driven by an urge to care for others especially those in need, I got interested in finding out what made nurses special people within the society since there was always something that set them out from other professionals. I decided to make nursing my career and now I know how it feels when you do the best you can just to make sure that another person has a smile on their face, free of any pain or illness. My philosophy of nursing revolves around giving quality care to patients today, for a brighter tomorrow (Seedhouse, 2000).
Nature of Nursing
It is important for any nurse to be well versed with the dynamics of nursing in order to remain relevant in addressing patients’ needs. A clear understanding of patients’ needs covers all aspects of care giving and thus nurses must also be updated on the emerging issues in health care. This includes advancing knowledge and moving towards the research based care giving (Brencick &Webster, 2000; Fitzpatrick & Kazer, 2012).
Patient Care
My philosophy of nursing distinguishes between the physical presence around the patient and an emotional connection with him/her. Patient care should presuppose understanding the patient’s emotional, mental and spiritual needs in order to provide an all-rounded care that satisfies the patient’s inner desires and not just treats their illnesses without considering any deep rooted issues (Kim & Kollak, 2006).
Relation with other Healthcare Professionals
Nursing should not only consider the relation between nurses and patients but that with other health caregivers as well. Teamwork is always the key to achieving greater results faster and as such, I look forward to creating teams and collaborating with all players in this sector to enhance health care for the benefit of the patient (Watson, 2008). The desire to ensure that a patient will not have to suffer from pain tomorrow should be a driving force to make sure that the best is done today. Communication is also a significant avenue, through which the ideas can be shared. So, my relation with other professionals must incorporate open, reliable and timely communication (Brencick & Webster, 2000).
Conclusion
This philosophy paper has reiterated to me the key aspects of every value I hold dear to my nursing career. First, it has reminded me that the reason I do this is improvement of the health care quality given to patients to guarantee a better treatment. Second, the patient must also remain the nerve center of all other interactions I make and especially with other health care professionals. Finally yet importantly, I must make an extra effort to better myself today to provide better care to potential patients.
References
Brencick, J. M., & Webster, G. A. (2000). Philosophy of nursing: A new vision for health care. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.
Fitzpatrick, J. J., & Kazer, M. W. (2012). Encyclopedia of nursing research. New York, NY: Springer Pub.
Kim, H. S., Kollak, I., IG Publishing, & Springer Publishing Company (2006). Nursing theories: Conceptual & philosophical foundations. New York, NY: Springer Pub. Co.
Seedhouse, D. (2000). Practical nursing philosophy: The universal ethical code. Chichester, United Kingdom: John Wiley.
Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The philosophy and science of caring. Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado.