The ABCs of Writing a Nursing Philosophy

Nursing philosophy helps guide a nurse in their work, providing structure for their approach to care. This declaration is essential in shaping the way nurses treat their patients. Usually, nurses will emphasize core values and beliefs that reflect on their methods. 

Look at nursing philosophy examples below and see if you can relate to them. Comparing different examples will help you understand what you want your mission to be and how to best state it in your nursing philosophy.

What Is a Nursing Philosophy?

A nursing philosophy is a personal manifesto, a mission statement or a declaration of values used by nurses to shape their approach to patient care. It’s meant to emphasize core values such as comparison, respect, and objectivity. 

Philosophy of nursing examples below illustrate that there are different values a nurse can place at the core of their belief system. Still, all the examples show how to express your moral principles.

How to Write a Nursing Philosophy Manifesto?

To write a nursing philosophy, you should start by looking inwards. Define answers to simple questions like: 

• What is a nurse’s role?
• What does quality patient care mean to me?
• What values guide my nursing practice? 

Think about the qualities that make up a great nurse in your mind. What skills do you think are essential in nursing practice? Ask yourself, why did you decide to become a nurse in the first place? What is it about nursing that made you ignore all the other occupations?

Answering these questions will help you define what nursing means to you.

Nursing Philosophy Examples: Compare Different Approaches

Example 1: Holistic Approach to Well-Being

My nursing philosophy is centered on care that extends beyond the physical body. I want to provide care that encompasses all dimensions of human life, including mental, spiritual, and social wellness. I strive to provide compassionate, well-rounded, and patient-centered care that respects each individual’s personal experiences, values and beliefs. By treating patients in a way that extends beyond the body, I empower them to actively participate in their own health and well-being. Nursing for me is a delicate balance of treating patients with evidence-based methods while also being caring, compassionate and empathetic. 

Example 2: Patient-Centered Care

I uphold patient-centered care in my practice because I believe that it is the foundation of effective nursing. Each patient is a unique human being with their own needs, values and limitations, and it is up to me to respect and honor those differences. My aim is to combine effective nursing practices with compassion, empathy and clear communication. This will empower me to deliver safe, evidence-based care that promotes respect and equality.

Example 3: Compassionate Care 

In my nursing practice, care and compassion have time and again proven to be the most vital elements. These qualities are essential in building trust and fostering honest communication with patients. To me, compassionate care means actively listening, being present and available, unbiased and free of judgment. This allows me to create an atmosphere of comfort and trust, which is essential for patients going through a tough time. I treat every patient with kindness and dignity while upholding evidence-based practices and honing my professional skills. 

Example 4: Professional Growth and Lifelong Learning

Nursing is a dynamic profession that evolves with every year, if not with every patient. Being a nurse means constantly learning, growing from your mistakes and adapting quickly. To me, providing quality care and treating patients is not only about compassion and empathy. It also requires a lifelong commitment to learning and growth. I strive to deliver care and advance my knowledge using evidence-based practices, professional development and collaboration. I aim to learn from every experience I have while maintaining integrity, honesty and accountability.

Example 5: Ethics and Integrity

I believe that ethics and integrity are the cornerstones of an effective nursing practice. Every decision that I make is guided by honesty, respect and upholding the trust my patients put in me. I strive to approach every patient as an individual and advocate for their rights regardless of their cultural or ethnic background. By pairing ethical awareness with compassion and fairness, I am able to provide care that is holistic, patient-centered and guided by ethics. 

Nursing Philosophy Writing Tips

You can look at personal nursing philosophy examples, or professional ones, and you’ll still see that all these manifestos place the nurse’s individual values at the center. A nursing philosophy reflects the way a nurse approaches their everyday duties. It guides a nurse in making difficult decisions and helps them uphold their values and integrity. 

When articulating your philosophy, strive to:

• Be authentic
• Keep it personal
• Be concise
• Be honest
• Focus on core values

Why Is Writing a Nursing Philosophy Important?

Writing or even stating your philosophy is important because it will provide you with a framework for acting in uncertain situations. A nurse’s day is never the same, and one could argue that every patient can present you with a dilemma. That’s when acting according to your nursing philosophy can help you save time, avoid at least some of the stress and simplify the decision-making process.

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