rossphilos.pdf
ross_phil_pres_outline-2.pdf
Philosophy of Nursing
NURS 314- Fundamental Concepts
NURS 481- Role Transition
NURS 314- Fundamental Concepts
NURS 481- Role Transition
- Purpose of Assignment
- The purpose of this assignment is to enable the student to rediscover his or her personal philosophy of nursing as it exists upon the completion of the baccalaureate nursing program.
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Student Approach to Assignment
- One’s philosophy to nursing is a very personal experience and belief, and can change as we grow in this nursing program. In the beginning of nursing school, I had more of a vague and idealistic philosophy to nursing, but as I had clinical experiences, some of the ideas were challenged and changed. This assignment allowed me to confirm my beliefs and adjust them based on the experiences I have had over the past year and a half.
- Reason for Inclusion of this Assignment in the Portfolio
- This assignment has shown the change I have undergone during my time in the program, and helps to articulate my beliefs in this profession. The following program objectives are highlighted:
- Critical Thinking
- Uses nursing and other appropriate theories and models to guide professional practice.
- Example: My professional practice centers on the importance of care and compassion for my patients, which aligns closely with Watson’s theory of caring. I agree the care you give a patient can help to ease their pain and may lead to a faster recovery. I also use Neuman’s systems model to observe the patient holistically and adapt care to provide appropriate and culturally sensitive care to all of my patients. Nightingale’s environmental theory has also stood out to me, and has become evident in my care. One patient was unable to afford a medication, so before discharge, we involved case management. The ability to regulate his blood glucose while he was in the hospital is great, but without observing the environment he will return to, the ability to follow the regiment is unlikely.
- Uses nursing and other appropriate theories and models to guide professional practice.
- Nursing Practice
- Implements traditional nursing care practices as appropriate to provide holistic health care to diverse populations across the lifespan
- Example: A young adult patient was anxious after an orthopedic surgery, and typical care for a post-surgical patient is to focus on pain management, but due to the anxiety, we added anxiety medication to help calm her. She began to alternate the anxiety medication with the pain medication, to “help her cope with the change in her environment” and this also helped to lower her pain levels. By treating the psychological side, we were able to also help with the physical state. This helped to prove the importance of holistic care.
- Implements traditional nursing care practices as appropriate to provide holistic health care to diverse populations across the lifespan
- Leadership
- Articulates the values of the profession and the role of the nurse as member of the interdisciplinary health care team.
- Example: My belief of the nurse as a member of the team is seen in the definition of nursing. I state that nursing is “caring and compassionate, with forming a meaningful connection as part of it”. This care and compassion is important, and creates an empathetic side to the role of the nurse which is “the advocate for the patient above all else”. The nurse sees the patient and typically establishes the strongest connection with the patient. The nurse advocates for the patient, and is to continue to have the patient’s best interests in mind, and continuously centers the patient in the care.
- Articulates the values of the profession and the role of the nurse as member of the interdisciplinary health care team.
- Professionalism
- Applies an ethical decision-making framework and legal guidelines to clinical situations that incorporate moral concepts, professional ethics, and advocacy for patient well-being and preferences.
- Example: In the section regarding principles, examples regarding patient care and compassion as well as forming a connection with the patient were addressed. Care and compassion was shown by sitting with the pediatric patient and trying to give a calm presence. Forming a connection was shown by praying and talking with the adult patient, who eventually became more open in discussion.
- Applies an ethical decision-making framework and legal guidelines to clinical situations that incorporate moral concepts, professional ethics, and advocacy for patient well-being and preferences.
- Culture
- Articulates an understanding of how human behavior is affected by culture, race, religion, gender, lifestyle, and age
- Example: During a clinical shift, a patient was scared in regards to the possible future and an upcoming procedure. I sat with her to help calm her, and during this she asked me to pray with her. The ability to pray with someone helped to calm her, and she was able to look at the decision to undergo the procedure more clearly. In this time of stress, she leaned on her religion, and it helped to put her a bit more at ease and make a decision.
- Articulates an understanding of how human behavior is affected by culture, race, religion, gender, lifestyle, and age