1. Running head: A PERSONAL REFLECTION 1
A Personal Reflection
Heather Reynolds
California Baptist University
Author Note
This paper is being submitted to Professor Deborah Bobst DNP, MSN, RN, in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for Christian Leadership in Nursing/ Case Management, NUR470
B, on September 27, 2016.

2. A PERSONAL REFLECTION 2
A Personal Reflection
The nursing profession dates back many centuries; and unlike many others, nursing is a
profession built upon compassion and humbleness. There are many philosophies that makeup
the art of nursing. One philosophy that I live by as a nurse is that I cannot define a patient’s
experience for them or create my own meaning for their experience. As a nurse I believe in
fighting to the best of my ability for my patients, as well as showing Christ’s love for them
through all of my actions. Throughout my experience as a student nurse, both the theories of
Humanbecoming and Biblical principles I have studied have helped in molding me as a nurse.
As I approach the end of nursing school, I am able to look back and reflect upon my growth as a
woman, a Christian, and now a leader.
My personal nursing philosophy reflects both my beliefs as a Christian and as a mother. I
believe in putting my patient’s priorities first whenever possible. I evaluate my own values and
belief system in order to appropriately care for my patients in a non-judgmental manner. I also
believe in fighting for my patients and doing what is ethically right for them. Developing a
nursing philosophy is important for every nurse in practice.
By developing and utilizing a nursing philosophy, I feel that it provides guidance and
enables me to provide patient-centered care. According to author Therese C. Meehan “the
philosophy is important because it brings to the fore a nursing-sensitive understanding of the
nature of the person and the innate dignity and worth of all persons” (2012, p. 2911). I feel that I
have a strong foundation to build upon and that I will continue to develop my nursing philosophy
as I gain more knowledge and experience.
As a nurse I am caring, strong, dedicated, hardworking, passionate, and brave. Ever since
I was young I stuck up for others and fought for what I felt was right, which is why I believe I

3. A PERSONAL REFLECTION 3
am a strong patient advocate. I have a passion to serve and fight for others. I am excited to one
day work as a forensic nurse and help others in crisis, specifically victims of abuse and human
trafficking. I believe that my patients and their families can see my passion when I care for
them. As a nurse, I always try to put my patient’s priorities first and treat them with respect.
Who a nurse is as an individual is a very important determinant to the care that they deliver.
In an article titled, Nurses’ Reflections on Good Nurse Traits: Implications for Improving
Care Quality, authors Shu-Yueh Chen and Hui-Chen Hsu emphasize the importance of nurses
exhibiting certain traits by stating “the most important indicator of nursing care quality,
assuming technical competence, is a nurse’s interpersonal attributes” (2015, p. 791). Chen and
Hsu found that the patients and their families were most satisfied with the care they received
when it was “individualized, patient-focused care, humanistically provided by involved,
committed, and concerned nurses” (2015, p. 791). Building interpersonal relationships with
patients, as well as their families, is an important way to begin building trust and provide quality
care with desired patient outcomes.
Humanbecoming has affected me as a nurse by showing me another way to perceive
others and their perspectives. Humanbecoming has shown me how to compassionately listen to
others and put their priorities first. The Humanbecoming School of Thought: A Guide for
Teaching-Learning, authored by F. Beryl Pilkington and Christine Jonas-Simpson, state that
“languaging is expressing meaning through speaking-being silent and moving- being still; it is
giving and receiving messages at many realms all-at-once” (2009, p. 21). Some patients just
need somebody to sit and listen to them. Even when I am busy I try to take the time to sit and
listen to my patient’s stories or concerns.

4. A PERSONAL REFLECTION 4
Humanbecoming has also affected me as a nurse by allowing me to look beyond the
patient as just a biological entity. Nurses must treat the mind, body, and spirit of the patient. It
is also important to consider the moment in which the patient is living, which leads me to my
favorite assumption written by Rosemarie Rizzo Parse. Within the Humanbecoming School of
Thought, there are philosophical assumptions about human beings and health. Assumption four
really resonates with me as a nurse and it states, “the human is always living the was, is, and will
be, while moving beyond the moment. Consider the human journey through life” (Pilkington &
Jonas-Simpson, 2009, p. 12). This assumption inspires me to know more about my patients and
respect their current states.
Other aspects that have not only affected me as a nurse, but have influenced me greatly,
are biblical principles. I am faith driven and lean greatly upon my Christian beliefs. If I am ever
in need of guidance or motivation I turn to Christ. God gives me strength when I am feeling
weak or beaten. The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I Here For, written by Rick Warren
states that “the Bible is filled with examples of how God loves to use imperfect, ordinary people
to do extraordinary things in spite of their weaknesses. If God only used perfect people, nothing
would ever get done” (2002, p. 273). I am very aware of my weaknesses and have overcome
many challenges as a young adult. I embrace my weaknesses and allow God to use me for His
purpose.
There are many biblical principles that speak very strongly to me as a nurse. However, it
is the Biblical principle that we were created to serve God and to fulfill His purpose that speaks
to me the loudest. Nursing is a profession built upon compassion and serving others, and when
we serve others we are serving God. Mark 10:45 states “for even the Son of Man came not to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Holy Bible, 2009, p. 656).

5. A PERSONAL REFLECTION 5
While serving others I am able to show God’s love for them, as well feel personally fulfilled.
Nursing, and serving others, is a very rewarding and humbling duty.
Another duty as a nurse is to lead. There are many ways to lead and allow leadership
skills to shine. I feel that my leadership skills shine when it comes to motivating others and
giving them positive strength. There are many benefits to being a leader. Not only does the
nurse benefit from having strong leadership skills, but so do the patients he or she cares for. In
the article titled Clinical Leadership: A Call to Action, author Cecelia Gatson Grindel states that
“the benefits of being a clinical leader at the bedside are many. Clinical leaders report greater
job satisfaction, increased personal satisfaction in their own accomplishments, and more
opportunities for career advancement” (2016, p. 9). It is also proven that a nurse with strong
leadership skills will provide better patient-centered care and have better patient outcomes
(Gatson Grindel, 2016, p. 9). This is the type of leader I hope to one day become.
Not only have my leadership skills changed in positive ways, but so have many other
traits I possess. I have grown and changed in so many amazing ways. Nursing school has made
me more resilient, brave, fulfilled, and proud. I became a mom during nursing school as well,
and this gave me an opportunity to see what I am truly capable of. I never thought I could get
through nursing school after becoming a new mom, but I have. I have seen myself mature and
become more disciplined. I have never felt so motivated before in my life. I believe that by
becoming a mom during nursing school, I appreciated the opportunity and and experience even
more.
Nursing school has opened my world up to new cultures and social groups, which has
deepened my respect and appreciation for those who are different than me. I feel more culturally
aware and better prepared to serve those who are different than me. Learning about other

6. A PERSONAL REFLECTION 6
cultures also brings about the opportunity to gain more awareness about oneself. In the article
titled, Teaching Strategies to Increase Cultural Awareness in Nursing Students, author William
Lonneman states that “this aspect [self-awareness] is critical in nursing education because
unconscious (silent) bias on the part of health care providers remains a contributing factor in why
minorities and the poor continue to receive lower quality health care” (2015, p. 285). I value
self-awareness and the opportunity to learn from those around me who are culturally different.
Nursing is a profession that has been around for generations. It is a profession that was
built upon compassion, hard work, humbleness, and trust. Nursing philosophies help mold and
guide nurses in their practice, and every nurse will come to develop their own philosophies that
they will serve by. I am an individual that values my own philosophies and attributes as a nurse.
I also value the Humanbecoming theory, as it has helped in building a strong foundation for my
nursing career. Biblical principles that influenced me since childhood now also influence me as
a nurse. My relationship with God keeps me grounded and gives me strength. Nursing school
has enabled me to grow not only as a leader, but as a woman. I am more culturally aware and
appreciative of the differences in others. I have cherished nursing school and value all the ways
in which nursing school has changed me. This has been an experience that I will forever reflect
upon.
References
Chen, S., & Hsu, H. (2015). Nurses’ reflections on good nurse traits. Nursing Ethics, 22(7),
790-802. doi:10.1177/0969733014547973
Gatson Grindel, C. (2016). Clinical Leadership: A Call to Action. MEDSURG Nursing, 25(1),
9-16.
Holy Bible (HCSB). (2009). Holman Bible Publishers: Nashville, TN. ISBN: 978-1-58640-589-2

7. A PERSONAL REFLECTION 7
Lonneman, W. (2015). Teaching Strategies to Increase Cultural Awareness in Nursing Students.
Nurse Educator, 40(6), 285-288. doi:10.1097/NNE.0000000000000175
Meehan, T. C. (2012). The Careful Nursing philosophy and professional practice model. Journal
Of Clinical Nursing, 21(19/20), 2905-2916. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2012.04214.x
Pilkington, F., B. & Jonas Simpson. (2009). The humanbecoming school of thought: a guide for
teaching-learning. (2nd ed.). International Consortium Of Parse Scholars: Toronto,
Ontario.
Warren, R. (2002). The purpose driven life: what on earth am i here for? Zondervan: Grand
Rapids, MI. ISBN: 0-310-20571-9