This paper is an overview of my vision of nursing as a profession and my personal philosophy of nursing.

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Nursing Philosophy and Theory and its Impact on the Nursing Profession
Kimberly S. Balch RN
Transitions to Professional Practice NUR 3020
Castleton University
2017

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“Philosophy is defined as the study of the principles underlying conduct, thought, and the
nature of the universe” (Black, 2017, p.171). As an individual matures they develop their own
personal philosophy often without even realizing it. A compilation of their personal beliefs,
concepts, and attitudes form their personal philosophy (4). Everyone has a personal philosophy
that is unique to them and serves as a guide or template that they pattern their own assumptions,
behaviors, and actions after (2). When we think about our own personal philosophy we need to
ask ourselves key questions such as: 1) What are my beliefs? 2) What is important to me? 3)
What drives my actions and decisions, especially impulsive ones? (4).
“Philosophies of nursing are statements of beliefs about nursing and expressions of
values in nursing that are bases for thinking and acting” (Black, 2017, p. 171). So as you can see
a nursing theory is very similar to a personal philosophy however specific to the nursing
profession. Most nurses can tell you about their personal beliefs about nursing, people, the
environment, and health. However, the majority of nurses have not written a formal philosophy
of nursing of their own. People go through their daily life conducting themselves in a specific
way based on the underlying principles of their own personal philosophy (2). Like nursing
philosophies most people have not written down their own personal philosophy either. Thinking
about what our beliefs are and documenting them can help us face life’s constant flood of
choices and make the best ones possible (4). Nurses do the same in that they go through their
work day making decisions and choices based on their core beliefs and unwritten

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philosophies. Developing a personal nursing philosophy can provide a nurse with direction,
promote effectiveness, and serve as a tool to measure both personal and professional growth over
time (2).
In developing a personal nursing philosophy an individual nurse needs to reflect on her
own personal philosophy of life first. The often will be very similar and can help that particular
nurse create her own deeper philosophy specific to nursing. In such an important profession it is
very important for a nurse to understand their “why” and what drives them. Creating a personal
philosophy of nursing can help the nurse connect to their work mentally and emotionally and
help them to understand what drew them to the profession. Nursing is a very demanding job
with long hours, physical demands, high pressure situations and standards to provide top quality
care. Defining their own personal philosophy in nursing can often help a nurse overcome such
demands, stay motivated and passionate, and avoid burnout (10),
When a nurse is building their philosophy they are organizing their beliefs and thoughts
around such factors as accountability, professionalism, and compassion. In this key statement
they are defining what nursing means to them and what their responsibilities are to patients, their
families and the community (7).
Nursing to me is not merely a job but a true calling and devotion to an honorable and
respected profession that carries with it a great sense of pride. Nurses play a multitude of critical
roles from caring for the ill with compassion and empathy, being a strong patient advocate, and
providing education to promote health and wellness to individuals as well as their community.

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I believe an exceptional nurse should be highly skilled, kind, caring, compassionate,
understanding, non-judgmental, accountable, and professional. I feel all nurses should practice
with honesty and morality with awareness, sensitivity and respect to all individuals despite their
social status, lifestyle, spirituality, race, gender or culture. “The character of the nurse is as
important as the knowledge she possesses” Carolyn Jarvis (7).
Over many decades, globally, a connection has been made between nursing and the art of
caring by nursing theorists. For example, according to theorist Jean Watson (1979), “the practice
of caring is central to nursing” (Baillie, p. 559). Sister Simone Roach, a nun and Canadian nurse
and theorist, defined this concept in greater detail in 1992 identifying the “5 C’s” of caring.
Roach listed the 5 C’s to be that of compassion, competence, commitment, confidence, and
conscience. Later in 2002 she added to her theory a 6th C, comportment. In Roach’s theory a
nurse shows compassion by trying to understand what patients and families are going through
and to recognize and support their needs with empathy and respect. In her approach,
competence is exhibited in the nurse’s hands on care supported by expert skills and knowledge.
The nurse should be committed to both the patient and their family and be authentic. Roach
believed a nurse should develop trust with patients and families by being confident and
providing accurate and truthful information. Roach believed the nurse should be conscientious
and aware of the patient’s individuality and to be a patient advocate at all times. The nurse’s
comportment or behavior should be that of a professional manifested by her look, her actions
and her expression (3).

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I personally can relate to Roach’s theory and strongly feel that a nurse should understand
the depth of caring and the 6 c’s discussed above. A nurse who practices with those attributes
will be providing professional, safe, effective, compassionate care while ensuring the patient and
families’ trust and sense of security. My parents have always instilled in me to treat others as
you want to be treated, to be kind, respectful and helpful. I pattern my nursing practice from
those teachings from my parents, my own values of honesty and integrity, and Sister Roach’s 6
C’s of caring.
Everyday people entrust their lives to me and I strive to provide safe and effective care by
maintaining my skills and continuing to seek educational opportunities. It is my responsibility to
patients and families to be knowledgeable, professional, and accountable. I treat everyone as an
individual, with respect and dignity and without bias. I am there as professional nurse to
improve their lives through quality care. It is also my duty to advocate for my patient and their
family and to be a team player with other givers of their care. I strive to educate my patients
accurately in a style that is best for them not only about illness but healthy habits and behaviors
as well. I also strive to exercise my own set of healthy behaviors and to be an example for them.
According to Merriam Webster, health is the state of being free from illness or injury and
illness is a disease or a period of illness affecting the body or mind. Today the Worth Health
Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-
being and not merely the absence of disease of infirmity” (6). My personal belief about health
and illness whether physical or mental or both is they should be addressed

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with a holistic approach. Florence Nightingale believed “disease was a reparative process” and
that nurses could benefit health by improving the environment (9, p. 40). I agree and also
believe that nurses have a responsibility to patients, families, and the public to not only to care
for the ill but to promote disease prevention and health. Nurses need to work to identify risk
factors, assess populations, educate, inform and follow up. It is imperative that nurses consider
lifestyle, genetics, race, gender, and cultural and spiritual beliefs in health promotion and disease
prevention. Nurses must be sensitive to diversity and practice without prejudice or bias and with
respect.
Often when people think of nursing they think of direct patient care in a clinical or home
setting. However, they are so many more roles and responsibilities for a member of the nursing
profession including quality control, ethical responsibility, resource utilization, continuing
education, nursing research, collaboration with the entire health care team and development of
leadership skills. As a member of the nursing profession it is my responsibility to help ensure
patient safety by monitoring the quality of care, products, and services in a cost effective manner.
Ethically, I should be providing safe, competent care by the standards of the profession and law
with honestly, respect and confidentiality as outlined in the nursing Code of Ethics. As a nurse I
need to practice resource utilization by choosing the proper therapies, techniques, and resourcing
other healthcare professionals to achieve the best outcome for the patient. A professional nurse
should continue to maximize their education and perform at the upper limits of this education.
Involvement in nursing research is also a critical piece of the profession as investigating past and

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current practice as well as patient outcomes can improve nursing processes and systems as well
as patient care and outcomes. Collaborating with other health care professionals involved in a
patient’s care is a crucial component of the professional nurse’s role in order to achieve optimal
patient outcomes. (2). Learning and professional development should continue across every
professional nursing career. Nurses who become members of professional organizations have
access to so many opportunities for education and development as well as certifications.
Through professional organizations nurses also become more aware of nursing issues, gain
support from nursing colleagues, and have a stronger voice in legislative processes (5). Studies
have shown that nurses who are members of professional nursing organizations have more career
satisfaction and provide better care than those who are not (8).
Nursing is a multifaceted profession that carries with it great responsibility to provide
safe, effective, holistic care to every individual patient. Although the role of the professional
nurse can be very demanding physically and emotionally I could not imagine doing anything
else. Personally, to me, nursing is so many things; it is a calling, a devotion, a way of life.
Although, there are many tiring, stressful days it gives me such a sense of pride and satisfaction
to CARE with compassion, competence, commitment, confidence, conscientiousness, and
comportment! I would not trade being a member of the nursing profession for anything!

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References:
1) Baillie, L. (2017). An exploration of the 6C’s as a set of values for nursing practice.
British Journal of Nursing; 26: 10.
2) Black, B. P. (2017). Professional nursing: Concepts & challenges (8th ed.). St. Louis,
MO: Elsevier
3) Caranto, L. (2015). Coalescing the theory of Roach and other truth-seekers.
International Journal of Nursing Science; 5: 1-4.
4) Develop a Personal Philosophy – 6 Questions to Answer. (2010). Retrieved December
02, 2017 from https://www.thindifference.com/2010/11/develop-a-personal-philosophy-
6-questions-to-answer/
5) Frank, K. (2005). Benefits of professional nursing organization membership. AORN
Journal; 82: 1.
6) Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: NCLEX – RN. (Unknown). Retrieved
December 02, 2017 from https://www.registerednursing.org/nclex/health-promotion-
disease-prevention/
7) No Idea with Philosophy of Nursing? Here’re Some Examples. (Unknown). Retrieved
December 02, 2017 from https://www.newhealthadvisor.com/Nursing-Philosophy-
Examples.html
8) Smalley, J. (2005). What’s your nursing philosophy? Nursing Management; 36: 12.
9) Warelow, P. (2013). Changing philosophies: a paradigmatic nursing shift from
Nightingale. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing. 31:1.
10) Why A Personal Philosophy of Nursing Can Help Your Career. (2017, March 13).
Retrieved December 02, 2017, from
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