Essay on Nursing Philosophy and its Impact on Patient Care

This essay delves into the core of nursing philosophy, emphasizing the importance of ethical principles and their practical application in patient care. The author explores the concept of nursing as an art, drawing parallels to Florence Nightingale's work, and highlighting the need for dedication and attention to detail in the care of patients. The essay emphasizes the need to treat all patients with dignity and compassion. The author presents their personal nursing philosophy, emphasizing the significance of compassion and respect in patient interactions and treatment. The essay also references relevant scholarly sources to support its arguments and provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Essay on Nursing
Philosophy

Philosophy of nursing is concerned with the thoughts that an individual possess about the
true nature of nursing profession (Alligood, 2014). This is based on the ethical values that are
held by a person. Nursing philosophy therefore declares the ethics, beliefs and values of nurses
with respect to the care and treatment provided to the patients (Meehan, 2012). Being a nurse,
my personal philosophy of nursing is based of upholding the dignity and respect of patients.
“Treat others the way you want to be treated. Be kind to others who are ill and in need of
support. Care and compassion are more effective in healing the patients along with treatment.”
According to me, the profession of nursing is an art that is beautiful in itself as it provides
immense satisfaction to see people heal.
My philosophy of nursing is connected with the nursing philosophy of Florence
Nightingale. According to Nightingale, nursing is an art and requires extreme devotion if it is to
be practiced as an art (Selanders, 2010). A nurse is required to be devoted towards his/ her work
in the same manner as a painter or a sculptor prepares for his work. The way an artist sculptures
a dead marble is comparable to the way in which a nurse makes an ill person healthy. Both
require dedication and art (Wagner and Whaite, 2010). According to my philosophy, a nurse is
required to pay close attention to the condition of the patient as well as his surroundings. Thus,
as all people deserve to be treated with dignity, I will continue to care for patients with utmost
respect can compassion.
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REFERENCES
Journals and books
Alligood, M. R., 2014. Nursing theorists and their work. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Meehan, T. C., 2012. The Careful Nursing philosophy and professional practice model. Journal
of clinical nursing. 21(19). pp.2905-2916.
Selanders, L. C., 2010. The power of environmental adaptation: Florence Nightingale’s original
theory for nursing practice. Journal of Holistic Nursing. 28(1). pp.81-88.
Wagner, D. J. and Whaite, B., 2010. An exploration of the nature of caring relationships in the
writings of Florence Nightingale. Journal of Holistic Nursing. 28(4). pp.225-234.
Online
Environmental Theory. 2016. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.nursing-theory.org/theories-and-models/nightingale-environment-
theory.php>. [Accessed on 28 September 2017].
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