Running Head: My Philosophy of Nursing

My Philosophy of Nursing
Katherine Sheppard
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
Nursing 3240
October 12, 2014
On my honor, I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment or test, and I pledge that I am in
compliance with the BSMCON Honor System.

My Philosophy of Nursing

When I think of my nursing philosophy I generally think first about why I wanted to
become a nurse. When I was a young girl I watched my grandma become very sick in her late
age. I watched nurses come and go through home health and how well they took care of her. I
knew I wanted to be that kind of person who helped others. Nursing was a great career path for
me because I believe that to be a good nurse, you have to have a good heart. A nurse is someone
who cares for others and helps them in all stages of their lives from birth through the end of life
care. My general focus has always been that of geriatrics but I also love caring for people of all
ages. I would like to say some of my philosophy has stemmed from Watson and others from the
mission of Bon Secours.
My values and beliefs are that nurses should be caring, knowledgeable, respectful, and
an active learner for life. As a nurse, you are responsible for another persons life so one should
not take that lightly. I believe that nursing is not just a job, it is a calling, and not everyone can do
it. When we think of Watson, we think of her caring theory. Watson believed that, " a science of
caring is complementary to the science of curing". (Nursing Theories, 2012) On the basis of
Nursing Theories, it states Watson had ten primary carative factors that include: the formation of
a humanistic-altruistic system of values; faith-hope; cultivation of sensitivity to one's self and to
others; establishing a helping-trust relationship; the expression of feelings, both positive and
negative; the systematic use of the scientific problem-solving method for decision making;
promotion of interpersonal teaching-learning; provision for a supportive, protective, and/or
corrective mental, physical, sociocultural, and spiritual environment; assistance with the
gratification of human needs; and allowance for extential-phenomenological forces. (Nursing
Theories, 2012). The statement that she describes the human needs is where I relate the most. In
school Maslow's hierarchy of needs is instilled into you with physiological care as the most

My Philosophy of Nursing

important such as food, shelter, water, sleep, and sex. (McLeod, 2014). At Mary Immaculate we
make sure that our patients have their meals, as long as they are not NPO, nothing by mouth.
Nurses and other staff try to promote sleep and quiet time by keeping the environment quiet and
clean as evidence by our designated quiet times.
Bon Secours mission and values are respect, justice, integrity, stewardship, compassion,
quality, growth, and innovation. I live out these values each day that I am at work and believe
that a lot of my values and beliefs are engraved into me through them. I show respect to each of
my patients by addressing them by name and respecting their privacy when providing care.
Innovation is defined as process of creating or managing new ideas, methods, and technologies
to vitalize existing services and to develop new ones. (Bon Secours, 2014) I am part of the unit
champions at Mary Immaculate and we are constantly looking for new ideas and ways to
improve nursing care through HCHAPS. Other ways that I demonstrate the values and missions
of Bon Secours and my own values is by providing compassionate care. I am a Registered Nurse
in the PACU, post anesthesia care unit, and we recover many surgeries. I provide compassionate
care by introducing myself to the patient when they first awaken from anesthesia. I make sure
that my patient has their privacy by closing the curtains. I help to make sure my patient is
comfortable in many ways such as repositioning, medications, and warmth. I think of myself as
the patients advocate so whatever the patient needs at any time I feel that I am there to assist.
I also follow Bon Secours value of growth in many ways. I am currently enrolled in the BSN
program to further my education in the nursing profession. I hope to one day be able to get my
masters in Geriontological nursing. Within Bon Secours they also offer many educational classes
to continue learning. I think that it is very important for nurses to continue to learn because its
an ever-evolving field and you have to stay current with the most recent evidence base practices.

My Philosophy of Nursing

Nursing has a wide range of opportunities. As a nurse enters into the field my vision and
values are encouraged to be able to care for patients.

My Philosophy of Nursing

References:
Our Values. (2014, January 1). Retrieved October 11, 2014, from
http://hso.bonsecours.com/about-us-our-mission-our-values.html
The seven assumptions. (2012, January 12). Retrieved October 12, 2014, from
http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Watson.html

McLeod, S. (2014, January 1). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Retrieved October 12, 2014, from
http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html