Running head: PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 1

Philosophy of Nursing

Myra Caston

University of St. Mary

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Philosophy of Nursing

I have been off for four beautiful days with my family. Great weather outside, fun, and

laughter the whole time off. Now, it is time to return to work! Is it really working or a career? In

thinking of it as working, I remind myself that certain tasks must be carried out on time. As a

career choice, commitment, honesty, respectfulness, accountability, and having a working

knowledge base are the foundation for the shift today. I am a nurse!

As a nurse, I have chosen to uphold the ethics that are prudent to the profession. Provision one

states: the nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and respect for the

inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by considerations of

social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems (Fowler, 2010, p.

1). As I return to my career, regardless of the type of clientele that I interact with today, inside,

and outside of the clinical area, I vow to make that person feel worthwhile in being at my facility.

Is everyday being a nurse fun, and full of laughter? No, but that commitment that I have made

to have a career in nursing allows me to look for the fun in the shift or tour, it further reminds me

that laughter is the best medicine. Nursing assignments can be challenging at times, but as a

health-care provider, I must remember that patients are sick. When one is sick attitudes

occur, manners fly out the window, modesty disappears, and overall that person is not the person

they are when they feel well. As the nurse, we are subject to those behaviors. The question of the

shift is how do we handle that? Well I smile, and continue to be respectful, honest, and

committed to offering the best care that the patient needs. I am a nurse!

My philosophy for nursing reminds me that there is so much diversity in the world today,

there are people from all walks of life with health issues, there are those with no hope and there

are those that just need a kind word or a hug. As a nurse, I can forever be there when the need
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arises and handle it like my days off, with fun and laughter. Why? Because I am a nurse that

graduated from the University of St. Mary. I believe in the mission statement of the University of

St. Mary: The University of Saint Mary educates students of diverse backgrounds to realize

their God-given potential and prepares them for value-centered lives and careers that contribute

to the wellbeing of our global society ("Saint Mary Mission," n.d., para. 1).

According to American Nurse Association:

Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities,

prevention of illness and injury, facilitation of healing, alleviation of suffering

through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of

individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations ("American Nurse

Association," n.d., p. 1).

Nurses make up the largest health occupational group in the United States, they consist of a

diverse group of individuals. I am part of that group.

The five Cs that we have learned about from Roach are key components of being a nurse.

Nurses should have the compassion, competence, confidence, conscience, and commitment to

the career choice, in order to be efficient at their career. I am that nurse.

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References

Fowler, M. D. (2010). Guide to the code of ethics for nurses interpretation and application.

Silver Spring, Maryland: Nursebooks.org.

Saint Mary Mission. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.stmary.edu/Student-Life/Mission-

at-USM.aspx

What is nursing? (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.nursingworld.org/EspeciallyForYou/What-is-Nursing