Philosophy of Nursing
A philosophy of nursing is developed and refined by the individual nurse over time. Nursing is a very personal vocation; 'If there is a universal concept of nursing, it embodies the characteristics of a service that is intimate, constant and comforting' (Henderson, 2006). It requires a giving of one's self to a degree far exceeding the simple performance of tasks to help the infirm.
The professional nurse engages the patient, family and loved ones on a physical level, an emotional level, and a spiritual level. In order to do this, the nurse must be grounded in his knowledge of self, which necessitates a foundation of beliefs – a philosophy of nursing – that works in concert with nursing best practices and standards of care.
There are three influences that have formed my present philosophy of nursing: the core values of the National League for Nursing, Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory, and two major ethical principles, Veracity and Beneficence.
Core Values
The National League for Nursing "is guided by four dynamic and integrated core values" (2015), and so am I. They are:
Theoretical Framework
Dorothea Orem's Self Care Deficit Theory forms the framework for many nursing programs in the United States and elsewhere. I use it as a framework in my daily care of others. Orem’s theory is centered on the ability of the individual to manage his self-care, whether by the individual’s own means, or if the person cannot tend to his own care (e.g., has a ‘self-care deficit), to be assisted by a nurse (Fawcett, 2005). I work daily with high acuity patients; all have a measure of self-care deficit. It is my function to determine what level of care I can provide and should provide. The goal is to challenge the patient to achieve improved levels of self-care, and providing nursing care as needed to maintain the patient's highest functioning level.
Ethical Principles
Veracity: Being true to one's word. I made a commitment to myself when I first began my nursing program, that I would be completely accountable. At this time, six years later, I have forged veracity into a habit. Being true to one's word is foundational to sound moral character. It requires a commitment to truth, and making accurate, unapologetic self-assessment.
Beneficence is, 'doing good for the benefit of others' (Bastable, 2008, p. 34). Beneficence as I practice it is not only doing good works, but doing them in a spirit of "good-ness". The nature of nursing by definition requires one to render care that is beneficial to the recipient. The difference-maker is to render the care in a spirit of mindful giving. It is a key distinction.
These core values and ethical principles, operating actively in Orem's theoretical model, comprise my philosophy of nursing. I apply them daily toward my educational, short, and long-term goals.
Bastable, S. B. (2007). Nurse as educator (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Fawcett, J. (2005). Contemporary nursing knowledge: Analysis and evaluation of nursing models and theories (2 ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis.
Henderson, V. (2006). The concept of nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 53(1), 21-34.
The professional nurse engages the patient, family and loved ones on a physical level, an emotional level, and a spiritual level. In order to do this, the nurse must be grounded in his knowledge of self, which necessitates a foundation of beliefs – a philosophy of nursing – that works in concert with nursing best practices and standards of care.
There are three influences that have formed my present philosophy of nursing: the core values of the National League for Nursing, Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory, and two major ethical principles, Veracity and Beneficence.
Core Values
The National League for Nursing "is guided by four dynamic and integrated core values" (2015), and so am I. They are:
- Caring: promoting health, healing, and hope in response to the human condition.
- Integrity: respecting the dignity and moral wholeness of every person without conditions or limitation.
- Diversity: affirming the uniqueness of and differences among persons, ideas, values, and ethnicities.
- Excellence: creating and implementing transformative strategies with daring ingenuity (2015).
Theoretical Framework
Dorothea Orem's Self Care Deficit Theory forms the framework for many nursing programs in the United States and elsewhere. I use it as a framework in my daily care of others. Orem’s theory is centered on the ability of the individual to manage his self-care, whether by the individual’s own means, or if the person cannot tend to his own care (e.g., has a ‘self-care deficit), to be assisted by a nurse (Fawcett, 2005). I work daily with high acuity patients; all have a measure of self-care deficit. It is my function to determine what level of care I can provide and should provide. The goal is to challenge the patient to achieve improved levels of self-care, and providing nursing care as needed to maintain the patient's highest functioning level.
Ethical Principles
Veracity: Being true to one's word. I made a commitment to myself when I first began my nursing program, that I would be completely accountable. At this time, six years later, I have forged veracity into a habit. Being true to one's word is foundational to sound moral character. It requires a commitment to truth, and making accurate, unapologetic self-assessment.
Beneficence is, 'doing good for the benefit of others' (Bastable, 2008, p. 34). Beneficence as I practice it is not only doing good works, but doing them in a spirit of "good-ness". The nature of nursing by definition requires one to render care that is beneficial to the recipient. The difference-maker is to render the care in a spirit of mindful giving. It is a key distinction.
These core values and ethical principles, operating actively in Orem's theoretical model, comprise my philosophy of nursing. I apply them daily toward my educational, short, and long-term goals.
Bastable, S. B. (2007). Nurse as educator (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Fawcett, J. (2005). Contemporary nursing knowledge: Analysis and evaluation of nursing models and theories (2 ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis.
Henderson, V. (2006). The concept of nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 53(1), 21-34.