I am of the inflexible opinion that a great nursing philosophy enhances professionalism and efficacy in the hospital setting. My nursing philosophy is a conjecture of the numerous aspects that entail the nursing profession. This paper is an outline of this nursing philosophy which includes the reason why I chose nursing, my values system and my vision for the future.
Choice of Nursing
The salient motivation for choosing my nursing career was the opportunity to afford joyous contemplations on various individuals, especially those in stupendous suffering in dire need of some helping hands. This way, I would be able to implement a philosophy healthy respect and value for human life in making differences that matter in their lives (Kelly, 2011).
Apart from having the opportunity to help others, I believe the nursing field accentuates continuous learning and ultimately, I hope to afford an opportunity get into nursing management in the future. I will use the management position to nurture junior nurses and teach techniques of providing efficient care. Apart from career advancement, the field also has numerous career opportunities and one can change paths depending on their skills and preferences.
Essence of Nursing
I strongly believe that nursing’s provident objective is in provision of excellent care. Its primary essence is fulfilled in provision of face-to-face care to the patients as well as being sufficiently empathetic and personal with them. This also extends to the family members; nurses should show empathy and relate professionally with the family members of the patients.
Politics have a significant influence on nursing practice. The legislators determine what kind of programs and services will be offered by their allocation of funds. The government also subsidizes the cost of nursing education and this way there is a general increase in the number of nurses and other types of workers who work towards providing care to the larger population.
The nursing profession has been perpetuated through some rigorous evolution changes to enhance the provision of nursing services. Early nursing practitioners suffered from the lack of knowledge on how to handle particular situations. But, currently, numerous evidence-based research programs have been undertaken to enhance the quality of practices. Nurses can now provide fast and efficient care to the patients.
Beliefs and Values
My belief about patients is that they are in much need of compassion, security, empowerment and empathy. I believe that the needs of the patients come first in any healthcare field. I have a firm understanding of what it feels like to be in a vulnerable situation and how much support one would need (Dahnke & Dreher, 2015).
Patients’ family and significant others are individuals suffering from stigma or trauma. This means that they are also in need for nursing care and empathy. The health of one of their family member is significant to them, and they would love to see their loved one back on their feet again as soon as possible. They also need to be provided with enough and accurate information about the diagnosis and the progress of their loved ones.
I believe my fellow healthcare providers are caring and kind to the patients, which is why they chose the field in the first place. I also think that they know how to put themselves in the shoes of the patients (Dahnke & Dreher, 2015). I know that they value patient needs, safety, and their general wellbeing and have the knowledge and skills to provide quality service.
As a professional practitioner I have to value my health as it enormously affects my life. My health affects my hormone levels and consequently how I relate with other individuals. Good health results in good relationships even at the workplace. My health also affects my energy levels. It requires a lot of mental energy and physical activity to carry out my daily nursing duties. It is, therefore, important that my mind and body keep up to avoid any frustrations at the workplace.
Vision for the Future
In the two years period to come, I have every intention of succeeding in my studies, the epitome being a distinction with right skillset and knowledge. Handling patients, empathizing with them, improving my communication skills and relating with various healthcare professionals are among these crucial skills plan to acquaint myself with.
In five years’ time, I will have enrolled in a master’s program to affirm and advance my skills in nursing and management. The advanced classes will place me in a better position to become a nursing manager and utilize the position to teach, train, and mentor other professionals. During this period, I will work on the surgical unit and later defer to the trauma section primarily due to my skillset in working in a fast paced environment.
Ten years to come, I hope to have gained adequate managerial skills accumulated in daily handling and association with patients and other health practitioners. By then, I will have been ready to advance to an administrative position where strategically, I would be in an advantageous position to bring positive impact on the lives of many people. Additionally, I would also be engaged in different medical research programs to enable to gather new knowledge and share integral information and experience.
Summary
My eagerness to learn and understand patient requirements are essential values in my profession as a health practitioner. I also have a sharp grasp of ethical practices and procedures required in the nursing practice, and I am a person of ethical conduct. I practice an ethical value system in my personal life and in making decisions (Kelly, 2011).
I think this is an efficient way of making my values second to nature even at the workplace. My only limitation is inadequate knowledge of how to work with a team. However, I believe that this is a skill that I will acquire within a few years of practice. I will seek the guidance of my mentor on how to become an effective team member (Dahnke & Dreher, 2015).
References
Dahnke, M. & Dreher, M. (2015). Philosophy of Science for Nursing Practice: Concepts and Application. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
Kelly, P. (2011). Nursing Leadership & Management. Boston: Delmar Cengage Learning.
