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Personal Philosophy Paper
Personal Philosophy Paper
Morgan Horn
I pledge……Morgan Horn
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Throughout my 12-year nursing career, I have taken care of a wide range of patient
populations with varying diagnoses and I have learned from experience what a strong impact
nurses can have on positive patient outcomes. Developing a strong patient-nurse relationship
has always been an important aspect of my nursing care. With each patient that I work with, I
strive to understand them as a person and how their beliefs, education or religion may affect
how they perceive their diagnosis and treatment. I find it imperative to gain trust from my
patients through open communication and allowing them to voice their concerns related to
their care.
medical care information. One of the topics discussed on the board is patient goals. Each
morning, I make it a point to talk with my patients and keep them involved in their own care by
asking them what goals they want to achieve that day. I offer encouragement and support to
patients in helping them to achieve these goals. I try my best to place myself in their position
For example, I worked with a COVID patient several months ago, who was on BIPAP and
his goal was to speak with his wife that day on the phone. In understanding the severity of his
illness but also trying to abide by his wishes, we decided on a plan together to achieve his goal. I
advocated for this patient and spoke with the doctor and the respiratory therapist who was
able to wean the patient off the BIPAP for a short time to be placed on heated high flow oxygen
so he could talk and see his wife better on the zoom call we had set up. After their
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conversation through zoom, he was in better spirits and was more motivated. He was able to
stay off the BIPAP for several hours afterwards. To be present with him during his interaction
with his wife reinforced why I practice nursing. I chose to be a nurse to care for people who are
sick and feeling at their worst, but to also encourage them to recover by simply developing a
In comparing my philosophy with other famous nursing theorists, I find that Imogene
King’s theory is similar to mine. Her theory focuses on the nurse developing a strong
relationship with their patient through positive communication and properly perceiving the
patient’s beliefs and values to create goals to be achieved. With proper communication,
judgement, and nursing knowledge by the nurse, goals are made together with the patient that
are achievable. Once patient goals are achieved using this theory, the nurse-patient
relationship grows and allows for further growth of the individual in his plan of care. Patients
feel appreciated and acknowledged when they stay involved in their own care and positive
Two core values of the Bon Secours Vision that I feel are a part of my nursing
status or education, I show equal respect to all patients and strive to understand their values
and beliefs related to their medical diagnosis. Each patient is different, and it is important for
them to see that you are advocating for their best interest and respecting their dignity through
a tough time in their life. I offer compassion in my everyday encounters with my patients and
empathize with them when they receive negative results or a difficult diagnosis. Verbal
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communication is an important aspect of compassion, but also offering to sit quietly with the
patient, therapeutic touch and humor can help relief stress and offer the patient a way to cope
After working several years as a nurse, I am proud to have found my personal nursing
philosophy. It is derived from showing compassion and respect to my patients through open
communication and understanding them as an individual in society. When I have learned about
them, I can then apply my knowledge to their diagnosis to create a plan of care that will best
relationships and it is the basis for creating productive and positive patient outcomes.
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References
Bon Secours Health System. (2021). Mission, vision, & values. Retrieved April 20, 2021,
https://www.bonsecours.ie/mission_-vision-and-value-
Masters, K. (2020). Role development in professional nursing practice, 5th ed. Jones & Bartlett:
Burlington, MA
Parker, M. & Smith, M. (2010). Imogene King’s theory of goal attainment. Nursing Theories &