One of the most important things I have learnt since I began my course in nursing is the enormous responsibility placed on the nurse on a daily basis. The magnitude of the responsibility is defined by the needs to transformation of theoretical skills into practice to ensure quality care, while giving the patient that extra bit of knowledge on self-care. Similarly, it involves ensuring that they remain hopeful of a healthy tomorrow. At first, I thought of nursing as any other career where you can come to work, do your part and leave once you are done with your part. However, with the educational and training I have received, my nursing philosophy has completely changed. In one aspect, I have learnt that the role of the nurse does not end just at the workplace. Instead, it follows you in every path you cross even within your home place. Today, I do always think about that person who is at the hospital bed and the mental and psychological crisis they are going through. The toughest task and one that I have come to have grown into as far as education is concerned is the ethical responsibility of the nurse especially in decision making (Lachman, 2012). While I believe that the nurse has a role in deciding the best treatment for a patient, I also tend to be of the line of thought that the nurse should create a viable relationship with the patient and advise them appropriately.
Today, the role of the nurse is not just limited to that of offering bedside care. It includes building a connection with the patient. It is about enabling them make the right decision about their health and treatment. I have read of several issues on media that concern the withholding and withdrawal of treatment. Most of the cases have tended to implicate the nurse for the decision that they take. The legal and professional implications resulting from such cases are huge (Lachman, 2012). But most of all it is a personal obligation that matters. One issue that I would like to avoid is the lifetime regret regarding a decision I took while in the profession. In essence, I consider the patient as the most important aspect of my career. It is their right to know the treatment they are accorded. Similarly, they need to be well versed with the alternative modes of care they can receive and why one suits them better than the rest (Nova Scotia et al., 2006).
My nursing philosophy thus revolves around several aspects; on one side is the need to recognize my role and obligation as a nurse. On the other side is to consider the culture, backgrounds and beliefs of the patient in enabling them make decisions (Douglas & Pierce, 2009). This is guided by my adherence to the ethical role of close association with the patient to understand each of the above aspects. Without this, I would feel devoid of the power and ability to help them regain normal health or least of all reduces the pain they are going through. The Nursing Jurisprudence course decries the importance of patient-centered care, its meaning and outcome. The course has enabled me recognize the importance of follow up after treatment. My philosophy in nursing is based on an understanding that the next bit of effort placed is of equal importance as to one that has been accomplished. Without taking concern of the outcome, then it means I am only serving my material aspect of my career and ignoring the oath of ensuring patient improvement to the very end.
I will always consider my education and in particular, Nurse Jurisprudence course as major steps in my personal development as a nurse. My short term ambition is to achieve my qualifications as a registered nurse. In the long term, I want to see to it that my personal philosophy forms the guidelines along which nursing training is based. I hope to achieve this through collaborating with nursing agencies that advocate for the rights of the patient and the role of the nurse in follow-up and patient outcome. I want to avoid the path where I will live in regrets long after serving in the nursing workforce. I have no doubt that this philosophy will lead me there.
References
Douglas, M. K., Pierce, J. U., Rosenkoetter, M., Callister, L. C., Hattar-Pollara, M., Lauderdale, J., . . . Pacquiao, D. (2009). Standards of Practice for Culturally Competent Nursing Care: A Request for Comments. Journal of Transcultural Nursing. doi:10.1177/1043659609334678
Lachman, V. D. (2012). Applying the Ethics of Care to Your Nursing Practice.Medsurg Nursing, 21(2), 112-116.
Nova Scotia, D'Entremont, C. A., Nova Scotia, & Nova Scotia (2006). Bill no. 7:
