Philosophy of Care Essay: Registered Nurse Standards & Ethics

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of the philosophy of care in healthcare, emphasizing its importance in nursing practice. It defines the philosophy of care as a framework of ethics, standards, and clinical practices aimed at providing complete healthcare. The essay explores the evolution of healthcare services, highlighting the shift towards person-centered care, evidence-based practices, and effective communication. It discusses the author's personal commitment to the nursing profession, focusing on the application of ethical standards, continuous learning, and the integration of theories like Jean Watson's theory of caring. The essay also examines the standards of practice set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and the ethical codes of the International Council of Nurses, emphasizing the importance of patient-centered care, ethical conduct, and professional development in achieving positive health outcomes. The conclusion reiterates the significance of kindness, ethical behavior, and individual care in nursing practice, aspiring to contribute to a healthier society.

Running head: PHILOSOPHY OF CARE
Philosophy of Care
Name of Student
Name of University
Author note

PHILOSOPHY OF CARE1
The “philosophy of care” in Healthcare services is defined as the framework of ethics
standards and clinical practice that that constitute of the complete health care for including
practitioners, nurses, midwives as well as the patient (Putting Health in Perspective, 2012). The
Healthcare institution has co evolved with the growth of human civilization to provide mankind
with improved health and Wellness and maintain the sustainability of the population (Putting
Health in Perspective, 2012). The practice of Healthcare service has improved over the years and
developed a more person-centred all rounded care that provides improved health outcome. The
modern “philosophy of care” comprises of evidence based practice in clinical functionality,
personalised care, proper communication with patient, as well as their family and use of modern
medicines and techniques to provide state of the art Healthcare service (Iftode, 2013). The most
philosophy of care also focuses on non judgemental care support towards the patient irrespective
of the patient’s social, economic, racial and ethnic background.

PHILOSOPHY OF CARE2 Source: (Rainbowhealthcaresolutions.co.uk, 2016)
The image provided is a perfect example of what the Healthcare industry is about, I
identify with provided this image because I feel identified with the idea that the picture tries to
explain. Providing therapeutic nursing for the whole family is the main motive of the nursing
profession. As an aspiring registered nurse, I pursued the Healthcare industry because I feel
drawn to the philosophy of care and nursing people for protection of the wellness and health (van
der Cingel, 2014). I personally want to be the type of nurse who would always adhere to the
philosophy of care throughout the professional career and maintain good clinical practice.
The nursing profession requires immense professional educational as well as social
commitments which I filled are important standards of ethical practice (Iacobucci, Daly, Lindell
& Griffin, 2013). Apart from professional commitments, I feel it is important for the nurse to

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keep on gaining knowledge about current techniques, refer to academic books or journals and
keep up with the current research to maintain the evidence based practice and provide complete
and quick care for the whole family. This impacts the society and builds healthier generation and
reduced susceptibility to new diseases.
According to the Jean Watson “Theory of Care” the treatment of human beings should be
“valued as a person and him or herself to be cared for respected nurtured understood and assisted
in a general philosophical view of a person as a fully functional integrated self human is be used
as greater then and different from the sum of his or her parts” (Jean Watson Nursing Theory -
Nursing Theory, 2016). I identify and believe in the theory and I'm currently aspiring to provide
effective and therapeutic care to the patient by interpersonal communication, considering the
character factors to provide patient satisfaction. I also aspire to provide appropriate responses
which will be acceptable to the patient and involve them in the care plan in order to gain trust.
The theory also assumes that the science that goes behind caring is equivalent to the science that
defines curing.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia provides similar standards of medical
practice, which I believe is very important provide improve health outcome and is completely
correlated with the philosophy of care. Standards of clinical practice clearly states that the
registered nurses are supposed to cut hair to the ethical standards maintain clinical competence
and refer to evidence-based clinical research which will help obtaining health success (Nursing
and Midwifery Board of Australia - Registered nurse standards for practice, 2017). As a future
registered nurse I wish to adhere to the standards of practice in my professional career. I believe
to provide a more patient-centred care referring to current Clinical Research and focusing on
improve patient outcome is very important. Maintaining the ethical standards is another

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important aspect of the nursing profession according to me. My caring will include expertise and
knowledge of academic and journal and taking advice from experienced nurses is important
because one cannot maintain chemical competence without utilising knowledge and expertise.
Nursing competence is also affected by the ethical standards undertaken by the nurse according
to the code provided by the international Council of nurses or ICN it is important to respect a
patient's individual as well as cultural rights and provide unbiased care. I have identified strongly
with the ethical codes provided by ICN and will implement those morals and ethics in the
professional career (The ICN code of ethics for nurses, 2012). Personally, I try implementing the
nursing ethical standards and philosophies of care including honesty, empathy, thirst for
knowledge, providing security, protecting the family, diligence and persistence to achieve my
goals. I should remember that as a human being I am about to make mistakes but I can always
learn from them and protect myself from making the same mistakes again which will help me to
improve my expertise and provide wisdom to the Future nurses after me. It is expected of me to
provide quick and effective care service which I need to practice by constantly being focused in
the present scenario. The gene Watson scared theory teaches me that my patients are not just
cases and numbers but human beings whose life has risk and it is my responsibility to cure them.
The philosophy of care the Watson’s care theory the NBA standards and ICN code of
ethics all have one thing in common focus to provide best possible care solution for the patient in
the least amount of time. This form of nursing process is very important to maintain the success
rate of health outcome.
In conclusion I would like to sum up my essay I would like to state that the nursing
profession is full of responsibilities and duties which can be applied in personal life. Kindness is
synonymous with the philosophy of care and can be implemented professionally and personally

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to lead life with moral high ground. Mistakes are common in human beings but it is to be kept in
mind that those mistakes are not repeated. Individual care is important in effective clinical
practice and good health me becoming a successful professional nurse a leader and a mentor in
life. I aspire to make a successful contribution in the Healthcare workforce and take on the
profession as a challenge info the health and quality of life.

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References
Iacobucci, T. A., Daly, B. J., Lindell, D., & Griffin, M. Q. (2013). Professional values, self-
esteem, and ethical confidence of baccalaureate nursing students. Nursing ethics, 20(4),
479-490.
Iftode, C. (2013). Foucault's Idea of Philosophy as ‘Care of the Self:’Critical Assessment and
Conflicting Metaphilosophical Views. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 71, 76-
85.
Jean Watson Nursing Theory - Nursing Theory. (2016). Nursing-theory.org. Retrieved 21 April
2018, from http://www.nursing-theory.org/theories-and-models/watson-philosophy-and-
science-of-caring.php
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Registered nurse standards for practice.
(2017). Nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au. Retrieved 21 April 2018, from
http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-
standards/registered-nurse-standards-for-practice.aspx
Philosophy of Care | Rainbow HealthCare Solutions. (2016). Rainbowhealthcaresolutions.co.uk.
Retrieved 21 April 2018, from http://www.rainbowhealthcaresolutions.co.uk/our-
rainbow-philosophy-of-care/
Putting Health in Perspective. (2012). The New Atlantis. Retrieved 21 April 2018, from
https://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/putting-health-in-perspective
The ICN code of ethics for nurses. (2012). Geneva.

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van der Cingel, M. (2014). Compassion: The missing link in quality of care. Nurse education
today, 34(9), 1253-1257.