Philosophy of Nursing Statement

Nursing is a profession dedicated to caring for those in need. It is a holistic, overall

approach to illness and disability, which means caring for people physically, mentally,

emotionally, and spiritually. It’s important to do what is reasonable and within nursing scope of

practice to stop or slow the deterioration of health, or in the case of end of life, comfort and allay

fear in the patient and the patient’s family. However, nursing goes beyond just the role of

caretaker: nurses are advocates, public servants, educators, and communicators. Nurses must do

what they can to preserve and enhance the patient’s dignity and independence. As educators,

nurses teach patients skills and principles for recovery, maintenance, and preventive health. It is

also crucial to appropriate and successful patient care that nurses work in a compassionate and

patient-centered manner. My philosophy of nursing and the core values I hold will help me

employ these vital roles in healthcare.

I was very fortunate to be raised by parents who were ubiquitously supportive of caring

for myself and others, with a high value placed on education. My family and early education

fostered in me the tenets in how I try to live my life in a successful and respectful manner. The

acronym STRIVE was developed by my school’s headmaster. STRIVE means to Seek always to

do your best; Treat people and property with respect; Revere the truth; Invest in my future; Value

school rules, heritage, and personal responsibility; and Enrich the world for all. I aim to live my

life by these tenets that my school and family instilled in me.

Nursing is an extension of the tenets of STRIVE. Seek always to do your best is

exemplified in my actions to not just fulfill my basic responsibilities, but to go above and beyond

by seeking to help others in the health care team, and searching for more and better care for my

patients. Treat people and property with respect: this is crucial to my nursing practice as I work
to help my patients maintain dignity and respect, while also providing compassionate and quality

care. Revere the truth is a basic golden rule that applies to being truthful and honest with

patients, the interdisciplinary healthcare team, and myself. Invest in your future is applicable to

my nursing practice by continuing to seek higher educational opportunities, such as additional

certifications and eventually admission to a nurse practitioner school. Value school rules, your

heritage, and personal responsibility is evidenced by my professionalism in school and the

hospitals, my respect towards my beliefs and values as well as my patients, and my ability to

learn and grow from my mistakes. Enrich the world for all applies to the overall nursing

profession of compassionately caring for patients in a holistic manner and improving health for

all. My nursing practice is a direct and practical application of my personal life principles and

nursing philosophy. The values of STRIVE will carry over into my professional healthcare

practice and help me achieve all the aspects of my nursing philosophy.