My Nursing Philosophy Free Essay Example

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Choice of Nursing

When growing up we often see so many roles and career choices that one could pursue. We often look up the various roles and qualifications for the field to ensure we are traveling down the correct road to achieve that goal. While growing up, I always wanted to be a nurse but while moving forward, I had a chance to observe a patient in the Operating Room and Emergency Room and at that time I thought I would have a change of heart in that field due to the excessive amount of blood which made me sick to my stomach. I thought about pursing a degree in teaching as a result of that experience. I would go look for jobs and I found my-self back interviewing in positions in the medical field. I debated back and forth teaching or nursing. Nursing became the winner and the decision were greatly influenced by some nurses that delivered exceptional care, support, compassion given to the patients and family members in their time of need. I would have to say that I would be doing something that I loved. I enjoyed taking care of people. I felt that my touch, drive for making others feel better along with compassion would be a great asset to the one who stood in need. I like to care for other, listen to their concerns and be able to treat them and make them feel better or comfortable and relax in whatever they may be experiencing.

I would have to say that nursing is like no other career choice that one could make. You can study many subjects and obtain various degrees in nursing. You will then be equipped with many skills where you have the knowledge to specialize in a certain specialty or sub-specialty in nursing. Knowing what you want and acknowledging that it takes hard work and dedication is a key to success and you will go very far if you apply yourself and stay up on the current standards and practices in nursing. I feel that nursing takes some of the person if not all when you are taking care of someone. This role of the nurse that I have pictured is filled with someone who’s understanding, compassionate and committed to do their best every time they step up to take of a patient.

Essence of Nursing

I believe that one would have to look at what the essence nursing is? First ask yourself what is nursing? Nursing is defined by the American Nursing Association as “the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations”(American Nurses Association, 2010, p.10). The care that we give to our patients would be the essence of nursing. The core of nursing also must be established, and each nurse should exhibit these: caring, empathy, honesty, trust, communication, and respect with the greatest one the I feel that you should have as a nurse is caring. If you don’t have that trait of caring and you are not able to give of yourself to others it would be safe to say that you may not have the essence of nursing.

I believe that another core that each nurse should possess is respect. It has been shown that if a nurse respects their patient and really listens to them, they will open and reveal all the things going on in their pertinent history and truthfully tell you all that’s wrong which will help them out in their recovery process. What skills are needed by the nurse to facilitate a good environment for the patient and the nurse. Listening would be important because you are able to pick up on the verbal and nonverbal communication given by the patient. If you develop a relationship of trust with your patients, I feel that you will create great dialogue between the nurse and as stated before this will help the patient out with their recovery process. It is very important for the nurse and the patient to establish a good relationship between the both of them because this will help the nurse care for the patient and help the patient to get well and recover. Jean Watson Caring Theory is comprised of ten carative factors that can foster a relationship that’s caring between the patient and the nurse. If the nurse is able to use the Watson Theory with the patient, they will show they care and able to provide compassion that will ultimately ease the patient’s and families suffering while promoting their dignity and healing but can also expand the nurse’s own actualization.

The Politics of Nursing can affect the core of nursing. It is true that hospital politics can play a part in the lives of our patients, families, hospital staff and the communities they serve. The way we communicate intra departmental within the hospital as well as having enough staff to cover all shifts can affect the hospital politics. In the past two months, the hospital politics as relates to staff ratio in the hospital in which I work because of the large volume of patients arriving in the Emergency Room for treatment. This impacted the hospital because some of the workers in other areas had to pull extra shifts to cover the areas that experienced the overcrowding which allowed the patient load to be spread amongst more staff members for their help.

Values and Beliefs

I believe that our patients deserve the best care that they can receive. I believe that each patient should be treated with the upmost dignity and respect. The patient should be informed of all the things that wrong with them. It is sometimes difficult to assist because of the education level of the patient; you have to wonder if they understand. You also today are faced with so many people who have no funding for care and they wind up not receiving any care which can ultimately put their health and body at risk for future problems. I believe that we should communicate effectively and efficiently to our patients. We should listen to our patients because we are their advocates. They put their lives in our hands and it is important to make sure build a trusting interpersonal relationship.

I believe the patient’s family and significant others play a major part in the decision-making process and health concerns that their family members come to receive care for. It is important to make sure we address the concerns as they arise and not brush the patient or the family member off like their concern is not important. We must make them feel like their needs and concerns are important. The cultural beliefs and values of the patient should be addressed and make sure that their values are taken into consideration. We must be reminded that the care we give if it is not up the quality the family feels it should be, it can greatly affect the hospital. Today a lot of families arrive with others to assist them in the decision-making process so it’s up to the nurse to make sure they have a thorough explanation as to what to expect and what will happen during the stay or appointment. We have to make sure that our communication and adequate delivery of care is given to the patient and their family on time and every time we interact with the patient’s family or significant other.

I believe my fellow health care providers are specialized in various areas. The providers have geared their practice to take care on concern. It is important to know that we still have some providers who take care of the person holistically. Today, we have added Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants in the role in the office setting to assist the doctors with taking care of the patients. They will decrease the wait time to get in to see the provider, but the visit will take a little longer because they will have a more holistic approach with the patient. I feel that the focus of our delivery of care is to ensure we strive to help the patient meet all of their physical, emotional and spiritual needs when they arrive in the hospital as a patient.

As I sat and reviewed my own health, I feel that my health is pretty good overall. I have tried to modify my diet and exercise daily. I have visited the doctor regularly for my yearly check up as well as keeping my dental visit exam every six months. I believe for me to be the best advocate for my patient, I must practice what I preach. I must be the best inside and out for myself which in turn will have a lastly effect on my patient. I can’t adequately take care of a patient or direct on what to do if I’m mot at my best. Some nurses are the worst patients every but it’s important to follow the orders in order to be healthier, stronger mentally and physically as well as emotionally and spiritually.

Vision for the Future

My vision for the future is continue knocking down the door to obtain my BSN Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2 years. I would like to further my knowledge of understanding the managerial role in my work area. I understand the clinical aspect of the role but need some help with the business aspect of the role. I would like to obtain a certification in the area of specialty being the Operating Room or Ambulatory Surgery.

Within my role, I always train and mentor new staff that come to work in the area. In five years, I would like to have completed my MSN Degree and working as a Clinical Manager or Practice Manager. I like training new staff and or mentoring new team members when employed in their new role. I would also be able to make sure policies and procedures are up to date as well ensuring that the role out of new policies or equipment is done and staff are trained it appropriately and in a timely fashion.

In ten years, I hope to be working as a Clinical Manager or Nurse Practitioner. I would like to be taking care of new employees or taking care of patients. My goal is to continue to work and do the best that I can for every person that I may encounter.

Summary

The strengths that I have that will support my achievement of my professional goal is the ability to strive to work hard, be determined to succeed and adapt and be willing to change to whatever I’m called or asked to do to make it happen. I have the will power to do anything I will not stop until it is completed. I work very hard; I want to make sure that I get it right the first time because sometimes the opportunity may not come back around. I have striven to work hard, determined to succeed and want to allow this opportunity to slip me by. I have a great family support system and I couldn’t not have asked for better in them. They are willing to help me where it is needed to ensure I can complete things timely. The support that I receive from my co-workers as well as my classmates push me even harder to make sure all things are done. I just lost my mom so this will be an extra strength to make sure all of my goals are completed because she one of my biggest fans and I do not want to let her down nor myself.

The only limitations that I will need to overcome is adding stress on myself because I always want to make sure things are done right. I must balance work, school and family to ensure that I all things are handled, and nothing left undone. I feel that I must prioritize my schedule, daily activities and manage my time wisely. I know I can do it one step at a time one day at time looking ahead to obtain my BSN Degree.