1. Nursing Philosophy
Clarence Hall
Nursingat itscore isbaseduponthe commitmenttopublicservice andacallingto helpthose inneed.
Accordingto the AmericanNursesAssociation,nursingisdefinedas“protection,promotion,and
abilities,preventionof illnessand injury,alleviationof sufferingthroughthe diagnosisandtreatmentof
humanresponse,andadvocacyinthe care of individuals,families,communities,andpopulations”
(AmericanNursesAssociation,2004, p. 1). Throughoutthe followingpaperIwill outline mypersonal
philosophyof howIwill meetandexceedthe ANA definitionof nursing.
Nursingtome ismore than treatingan illness. Itisa focuson the patientas a whole,givingquality
individualizedcare toensure the bestoutcomespossible. We are ethicallyboundtoputpatientcare
above all otherprioritiesandtocare forthemin a holisticmanner. Withmyexperience inthe militaryI
have become acutelyaware of the myriadof outside environmental forcesthatcanaffecthealth. Iuse
thisexperience aswell asmyeducationbackgroundinpsychologyalsoaddressanynon-biological
problemsthatwe as nursescan helpwith. Ibelievethatknowledge ispowerandeducationisone of
the most importantthingsthatwe can give to our patients. The nurse patientrelationshipisparamount
to effectivecare andisreflectedinthe inherentneedtorespectthe dignityandautonomyof the
patient. My personal valuesgrowinguphave alwaysbeentoguardand care forother. I intendto
furtherthisin my practice of nursingby advocatingformy patient,ensuringthatIam practicingbased
uponthe latestevidencedbasedpractice, andtobe honestwithmypatientsregardingtheircare. My
beliefsare alsoreflectedbyThe AmericanNursesAssociationstatementinProvision3,“The nurse
promotes,advocatesforandstrivestoprotectthe health,safety,andrightsof the patient”(ANA,2001,
p. 12).
If we as a professionare able tocombine ourcollective knowledge,time management,compassion,
advocacy, and respectinconjunctionwithcollaborativeteamworkacrossthe healthcare team, we will
make great stridesinpatientcare. Pullingall of thisknowledge,culturalawareness,andteamworkwill
helpusas a nursingprofessionfulfill ourdutytosociety.
Resources
American Nurses Association, 2010. Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive
Statements. Washington DC, The Publishing Program of ANA.
American Nurses Association, 2010. Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice.
Washington DC, The Publishing Program of ANA.