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Professional Nursing Philosophy

Leyni Soriano
Delaware Technical Community College
NUR 300-601
February 17, 2023
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This BSN program so far has navigated me to be in touch with my nursing philosophy.

Initially, I never thought that what I stood for and believed in as my “philosophy”. Searching

deeper into my nursing philosophy made me perform my work with more meaning. My goal

during the end of my shift is to feel that I did the absolute best I did with a clear conscious that

that is true. Did I truly advocate for my patient? Did I make them feel heard? Questions like that

are what I strive to achieve. Each component discussed during this class were key elements that

have helped me become a well rounded nurse who can provide the best holistic patient-centered

care.

Lifelong learning for me is something I am grateful for. It is a trait I believe I have

always carried with me. I am a naturally curious person and will seek ways to improve in myself

whether for my own personal gain or for my career. The profession I am in is constantly

changing as well. Every day there is new research on the latest medicine, treatment, procedures,

techniques, etc. In the unit I work in the hospital, a new medication dispenser system has been

recently installed. It looks very fancy with a touch screen, easy sliding doors, with much more

securement. It was fascinating to me to see the new technology brought to my floor. I enjoyed

having to try to navigate the system to retrieve my medications, though others found it to be

another task. Nonetheless, nurses are challenged to keep up with the pace. And thankfully, for

myself, that is something I anticipate with open arms.

Investigating a nursing theory was interesting. There were many different nursing

theorists who seek out different priorities within their patients. Each theorist composed thoughts

based on their own values and beliefs. A theorist named Joyce Travelbee portrayed what I stood

for the most. Travelbee’s theory was mainly about seeing the patient as a person first. It mainly

focused on developing a rapport with patients to create trust and a better quality of life. And that
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is how I choose to practice in my field. Unfortunately healthcare providers can get sunk into

seeing their patients as an object with signs and symptoms. But by recalling Travelbee’s Human

to Human Relationship Model of Nursing theory (Saleh U.S., n.d.), my duty as a nurse will be

fulfilled. Doing so will lead to better patient outcomes.

Developing a personal wellness plan reminded me to put myself first. Working full time

at the hospital, being a student toward my BSN, and taking care of myself is a balancing act.

Seeking the five components of wellness (physical, spiritual, social, emotional, intellectual)

helped me identify and fulfill each area. Every day we are challenged to play the roles in our life.

Whether it is being a dad, or a mother, a wife, a full time worker, or a student we must find a

balance in order to live a healthy lifestyle. If we are not physically or mentally stable, it will take

a toll on the body. Having a balanced diet, healthy sleep schedule, staying physically active,

spending time away from work and closer with family or doing something that you enjoy are

only a few components that are often overseen or pushed to the side. Putting ourselves first can

be easier said than done, but is crucial if we plan to tackle daily tasks.

Conflict management helped me identify the ways my coworkers may handle a situation

compared to me. There are two different views in one conflict, and I must consider that there are

different personalities involved. I identified my personality to be virtuoso. A virtuous person is

optimistic and energetic, very go with the flow. And is also spontaneous yet rational, but at the

same time stubborn and reserve. When there is a conflict, it is helpful to identify the person’s

personality to see what their barrier may be. For example, another person’s personality may be

an adventurer. Their communication skills are poor, and I may need to ask them to clarify what

they are trying to say, or if they can give me more details. Once the communication is

recognized, tackling the conflict is next. I suggested that my conflict management technique will
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be to recognize the conflict, address it, and respectfully come to an agreement. It may be easier

said than done considering the personalities that are being dealt with. But with effective

communication and listening skills, a solution can be determined.

The integration of the six QSEN Competencies greatly influences my nursing philosophy.

These competencies are guidelines that nurses of all fields and ages should refer to when caring

for their patients. Each component in QSEN, patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration,

evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, and informatics, give clear guidelines to

successfully fulfill the nursing duty in that field. I follow the six competencies every day I work.

I do my best provide the best patient-centered care. Just today I advocated for my patient. My

patient told me his concerns about his right ankle. Though it is not the reason for his current

admission, he stated to me that the past three days since he has been at the hospital he has told

many nurses and providers his ongoing pain that is not relieved with pain medication. He further

explained to that he has a history of gout and an old ankle fracture on that right leg. He told me

he typically takes medication to manage his gout and he has not been getting it in the hospital,

but cannot recall the name of it. I listened to him, told him I will investigate what they are and

will definitely pass that information along. I did just that. I found out the medications he

normally takes at home and put a note in his chart for all the providers to see. This example is

only one of the many times that I not only listened, but acted upon my patients concerns. In this

instance alone I used the competencies of patient-centered are, teamwork and collaboration, and

informatics. Practicing my own autonomy greatly impacts the way I choose to practice the

QSEN competencies.

Leadership in nursing is a skill that comes from developmental growth and

determination. A leader must have the knowledge to lead and provide encouragement for others
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to stay motivated. In my opinion, I believe a leader is someone who is part of the team and

inspires each member to be the best that they can be. I think the leadership style that would best

express me is the transformational leadership style. This type of leaders leads by showing. They

can mobilize people into groups that can get work done, raising the well-being, morale and

motivation level of a group through excellent rapport (Cornell, 2020). Though there are other

leadership styles I think the transformational leader has a way to communicate with team

members and validate the opinions of each individual. By doing so, members will feel inspired

and motivated to do their work well.

Each week I searched deeper into my nursing philosophy. I was challenged against my

own thoughts to seek meaning into not only my practice at work, but in furthering my education.

Finding more and more about my own values and beliefs truly inspired me to put more passion

into my work. I came into this field for a reason. At work I want to help those during a

vulnerable time. And each week I gained new ways to improve in my career and into myself.
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References

Cornell, A. (2020, April 13). 5 leadership styles in nursing. Relias. Retrieved February 17, 2023,

from https://www.relias.com/blog/5-leadership-styles-in-nursing

Saleh, U. S. (n.d.). Theory guided practice in nursing. Saleh, U.S. (2018) theory guided practice

in nursing. Journal of Nursing Research and practice, 2, 18. - references - scientific

research publishing. Retrieved January 15, 2023.