My Very Own Philosophy of Nursing

I’m not a nurse yet. That much is true. However, the importance of a nursing philosophy comes long before the actual work of nursing begins, and is continually shaped as a nursing career proceeds. All two weeks of nursing school that I have been in are helping me shape my very own philosophy of nursing.

Nursing is about the patient. For it to continue to be about the patient, nurses have to take care of themselves. Holistic health expands beyond the patient and requires nurses themselves to look at how they are contributing to the holistic picture. Nurses must have compassion and empathy, yet be able to get a hard job done. To do this a nurse has to prepare themselves for their work; daily, weekly, and monthly. If a nurse is mentally and physically prepared for their job, they can serve their patients to the best of their ability. If one half of the equation is unbalanced, the whole will be as well. Nurses must be both selfless, and selfish when it comes to how they take care of themselves outside of the workplace.

If nurses are holistically healthy, then the patient is the central focus. Patients under a nurse’s care are in a vulnerable place. They are relying on the nurse to provide unrivaled support and care. Nurses must take this responsibility seriously and take pride in their work. If a nurse cares about their work and patient, then better healthcare will be provided. The relationship between a patient and a nurse is essential.

Although a patient-nurse relationship is essential, nurses must first and foremost be skilled in their practice. They know how to complete a physical and mental assessment with reliability and validity. They are educated and open to continuous learning as their career continues. Learning does not stop after nursing school, and health cannot be obtained without the best knowledge and education. Nurses have a responsibility and a commitment to their patients that requires skill and the pursuit of knowledge within their practice.

Lastly, the environment of nursing is one of cleanliness, reliability, and communication. A healthcare environment must be able to sustain the health of patients and allow to trust their healthcare providers. Between healthcare providers there has to be communication as well. A health environment cannot run properly without good and consistent communication. It is in the best interest of the provider and the patient to practice this. It causes less errors and more reliable care.

Nursing practice can not be perfect, but there are steps to be taken to prevent errors and cultivate a great patient-nurse relationship and environment. If nurses keep these things in mind and constantly assess their practice and developments in the healthcare world, the best care can be given.