Nursing Philosophy Essay

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Nursing philosophy “identifies what is believed to be the basic or central phenomena of the discipline, relates nursing to a particular world view, and provides some information on how one may come to learn about the world”. (p. 13, Salsberry, 2008). My personal philosophy of nursing evolved over the years and includes my observations, beliefs, thoughts, and practices. The purpose of this paper is to discuss my personal philosophy of nursing and the personal and professional experiences that have contributed to the development of my view of nursing.
Nineteen ninety-four was a significant year for me; it was the year I began volunteering at the local children's hospital. I read books to children from ages four to fourteen which brought a smile to their face and to mine. Not only did I want to make these kids feel better, but I also wanted them to see that their illness, whether short term or long term, did not define who they are or what they could become. So, I used my skills as an educator to mentor them as they continued their schoolwork while they were in the hospital. Bringing together education and healing was a life-changing experience that made me realize that nursing is my true calling.
Traditionally, nurses were viewed as caregivers. In today’s world, image of nursing profession changes as nurses play many other roles such as patient’s advocates, educators, managers, team members, facilitators, and experts. (Zerwekh, 2006). As I read the entries from my reflective journal, I could see how my focus shifted from assisting patient with his basic needs at the beginning of the nursing school to more comprehensive nursing care today.
My years of experience in education and later in quality control, influenced values that have translated well into the nursing field. First and foremost are work and client safety. The quality of service, attention to detail, and

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