Personal Nursing Philosophy
Personal Philosophy of Nursing
NURS 401
Old Dominion University
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Everyone has a personal or professional philosophy even if they don’t know it. A code in which we hold ourselves accountable to. In this paper I will work towards clarifying my own personal nursing philosophy. I will give a professional definition of nursing as explained by the American Nursing Association (ANA) standard of professional practice. I will review my purpose for choosing nursing as a profession. I will explore my beliefs and values which influence my nursing philosophy, connecting them to a specific nursing theory. Also, review my moral and ethical principles which guides my nursing practice.
Definition
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To start, the ANA, (2017), defines nursing 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. The ANA is a professional organization representing nurses nationally through membership. They are involved in establishing nursing standards of practice, advocating for nurses in the workplace, and improvements to the overall general welfare of the nurse. The “Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements” was created by the ANA in 2015 its purpose is to communicate the ethical obligations of all registered nurses (Badzek, Turner, Fowler, 2015). It includes nine provisions which identify the responsibilities of the nurse and interpretive statements providing guidance for implementation (Winland-Brown, Lachman, O’Connor Swanson, 2015).
Purpose
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When I started my career in healthcare as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) I was not sure nursing was for me. The registered nurse who taught my first CNA class was from an old school diploma program. She believed in good quality hands on care and she was serious about the profession. She taught us how to assist patients with their actives of daily living while compassionately addressing any behavioral issues in the process. Daily she attempted to demonstrate all the attributes from the “Code” provisions. I was attracted to her professionalism, and she encouraged all her students to believe in themselves.
So, my motive for wanting to go further and become a nurse was directly related to the care my husband, son and mother received in their time of need. Throughout my husband’s struggle with lung cancer I witnessed the difference a good nurse made in his quality of life. Again, I experienced the impact good nursing care made for my son after his motor cycle accident, and when my mother passed away, nurses where there to help. At one point, I questioned why I was experiencing so much loss all at once in my life? A close spiritual friend explained to me, if I changed my perspective to see the losses as a gift preparing me to help others, I might find some acceptance. Since that time, I have experienced numerous opportunities, as a nurse, to help others and am grateful to all the nurses who were there for my family and me.
Values
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Ultimately, I have always believed in the golden rule. I attempt to mentally put myself in the other person’s shoes. I make every effort to treat others as I would want to be treated, no matter what their skin color, or their religious beliefs, or the choices they have made for themselves. I want to meet patients where they are, not where I think they should be.
Integrity is a valuable character trait I work hard at maintaining. I was taught if I wanted to be a person of integrity I must behave like the person I think I am. Meaning, if I think I’m an honest person, then tell lies, I’m not really an honest person so my integrity suffers. When my integrity suffers it’s hard to hold my head up and look people in the eye. I think being genuine with patients, either individually or in the community setting, is a valuable connection for me to make as a nurse and take integrity.
Theory
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I have identified a nursing theory which is aligned with my beliefs concerning the importance of nurse-patient relationship. I start by making the connection with my patients by listening first. The Peplau’s nursing theory of Interpersonal Relations, revised in 1968, focuses on the nurse-patient relationship (Peplau, 1997). The theory defines multiple roles the nurse plays when relating to patients. There are four parts to her theory, the person, the environment, their health, and other human processes (Peplau, 1997). This nursing model identifies four phases within the interpersonal relationship which nurses and their patients move through during care. The orientation phase establishes the relationship and clarifies the patient’s needs during the face to face nursing assessment. The identification phase clarifies the professional services needed by the patient within the nursing plan of care. The exploitation phase is the implementation of the nursing plan of care by incorporating patient centered care into the process. The final phase is resolution which is an evaluation of the nursing process to assess whether the goals have been met for the patient (Peplau, 1997). This theory is a representation of my nursing approach with patients.
Principles
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One of the many ethical principles I value is that of autonomy within nurse-patient relationships. I believe it is important for all patients to understand their right to choose and/or be involved in their own care. I also, appreciate the ability to have autonomy, as a nurse, when administering treatment as well. Presently, I am working night shift at Boxwood Detox Center, part of the Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board, with patients who have voluntarily chosen to enter recovery from drugs and/or alcohol addiction. These patients are assessed using a clinical withdrawal scale and prescribed medications for their symptoms. I have found patients who are detoxing need autonomy during their recovery to become invested in the process. Addicts and alcoholics don’t respond well to being told what they are required to do, they prefer suggestions and choices. It’s a fine line to walk as a nurse, between an addict-alcoholic who needs medications and the ones who are drug seeking. In one of my experiences a young woman who wanted to rush her recovery refused her medications before she was ready. I attempted to influence her to trust the process, yet she refused which is her right. Within the night she became so full of cravings and anxiety she left detox against medical advice, went back out on the streets and died from a heroin overdose within twenty-four hours. She refused to take the prescribed medications to address her withdrawal symptoms which was her right, she exercised her autonomy. There are successes too, patients who are willing to participate in their own recovery. They accept the prescribed medications, attend meetings and start the process of recovery one day at a time. The withdrawal scales allow me to practice autonomy too through the nursing assessment allowing me to medicate patients when needed.
The second moral principle which guides my nursing practice is justice. Again, the example I will use is within the recovery process and detox. Some patients do choice to leave against medical advice (AMA) then return to attempt the recovery process numerous times. I have heard other nurses make statements regarding these “frequent flyers”. About restricting these patient’s ability to leave then return to detox. I understand that not every patient has the determination needed initially to work on their disease and believe it is restrictive not to allow all patients the opportunity to try again. Also, I take the rules in detox seriously. There are rules about smoking, eating, phone use and lights out. Regardless of who the patients are in detox I attempt not to make exceptions and to be consistent across the board which I believe helps to foster a sense of security in the patients.
Conclusion
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The ANA’s Code of Ethics for Nurses defines the goals for me as a nurse in which I am to strive daily to achieve. My own personal motivation and values are the internal compass directing my patient relationships. The golden rule, integrity, freedom through autonomy, and justice are just a few of my beliefs that direct my nursing-patient relationships while administering care and creating an environment of recovery and wellbeing today.
Reflection
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This assignment has assisted me clarifying my personal nursing philosophy. Nursing is a very honorable profession. I am fortunate to be a member of this exceptional group of people. Nursing may not have been my initial calling, but caring for others as myself has always been a deep moral conviction of mine. So, my personal nursing philosophy is simple. Remember to treat others as I want to be treated.
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References
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The American Nursing Association. (2017). What is Nursing? Silver Spring, Md. Retrieved from http://nursingworld.org/EspeciallyForYou/What-is Nursing/
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Badzek, L., Turner, M., & Fowler, M. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. American Nursing Association. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/EthicsStandards/CodeofEthicsforNur ses/Code-of-Ethics-For-Nurses.html/
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Peplau, H. E. (1997). Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations. Sage Journals. 10: 4, 162-167. doi.org/10.1177/089431849701000407. Retrieved from http://www.nursing-theory.org/theories-and-models/peplau-theory-of-interpersonal-relations.php/
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Winland-Brown, J., Lachman, V. D., & O’Connor S. E. (2015). The new code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements: Practical Clinical Application, Part I., Medsurg Nursing, 24: 4. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/EthicsStandards/CodeofEthicsforNur ses/Code-of-Ethics-2015-Part-1.pdf/