My first degree was in biochemistry, and nursing is my second degree. A career in healthcare has always been a goal. My decision to be a nurse was based on the flexibility and dynamic aspect of the nursing profession, and it also fulfilled my altruistic side. I completed an accelerated RN program and, while working as a registered nurse on a medical and surgical telemetry unit, completed my master’s degree in nursing as an Adult Nurse Practitioner in 2011. In 2017 I completed the Adult Gerontological Acute Care NP post-graduate certificate program. For the past nine years, I have worked as a hospitalist in diverse roles as part of a health care team. My education and experience in nursing and personal background have led to the development of expertise in emergency care, geriatrics, harmony, intuition, and the ability to recognize and respond to changing situations. I play an active role in novice nurses’ mentoring and professional development, which sometimes result in long-term, lasting professional or personal relationships.
A successful nurse is knowledgeable, has empathy, is compassionate and respectful, is a good communicator, and can problem-solve. Nursing philosophy has been described as “a statement of foundational and universal assumptions, beliefs and principles about the nature of knowledge and thought (epistemology) and the nature of the entities represented in the metaparadigm (i.e., nursing practice and human health processes [ontology]” (Reed, 1995, p. 76). My nursing philosophy is to provide competent, empathetic, and patient-centered care to the best of my ability. This philosophy is partly due to core values and beliefs instilled in me as a young child, including kindness, respect, integrity, perseverance, commitment, and education. My nursing philosophy has evolved over the years due to new knowledge, personal and professional experiences leading to changes in desires, and sometimes new goals.
NURS 8114 Discussion Philosophy of Nursing Practice
Continued professional development is an essential component of a successful nurse. The rapid advancement in healthcare and broadening of the nursing roles has led to additional formal and informal learning. Active engagement in committee memberships like the Schwartz Center for compassionate healthcare, attending conferences, hospital grand rounds, to name a few, have all enhanced my ability to provide competent, high-quality care.
NURS 8114 Discussion Philosophy of Nursing Practice
References
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2018). Theoretical basis for nursing (5th ed.). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Reed, P. G. (1995). A treatise on nursing knowledge development for the 21st century; Beyond postmodernism. ANS. Advances in Nursing Science: Volume 17 – Issue 3 – p 70-84.
Sullivan, E. J. (2012). Effective leadership and management in nursing (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Walden University. (2021). DNP glossary [interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu
RE: module 1, week 1
My Approach to Nursing Practice
The guiding principle of my nursing career has been to contribute to the physical and emotional well of every individual entrusted to my care with compassion and courtesy. My career as a registered nurse began in an emergency room over twenty years ago.
“Society values professions because the services professionals give are advantageous for members of society” (McEwen & Wills p.2). My interest is caring for community members during one of their most vulnerable moments in life. This fulfilling occupation allows me to interact with individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Having a moral compass that impacts my judgments and leads my profession with fairness and the highest ethical standards assists me in addressing nursing concepts.
Practicing the art of nursing while embracing the latest scientific discoveries is a certain method to advocate for equitable and just treatment for all. Inconsistent care provided to our homeless and mental health population by our emergency health care system is an issue that requires improvement. To advocate for meaningful social change in nursing practice for these two communities as a DNP would entail legislative involvement. Reviewing the existing municipal and federal laws would be a good starting point. Collaborating with community leaders and forming partnerships with organizations that aid the homeless and people with mental illness. “The DNP is ideally positioned to implement and evaluate change in the clinical situation” (Zaccagnini & Pechacek, p. 73).
McEwen, M. &Wills, E. M. (2019). Theoretical foundation of nursing (5 th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. The Jones and Bartlett Learning Company The Essentials of the Doctor of Nursing Practice: A New Model for Advanced Practice A Novel Model for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 rd edition). Zaccagnin, M ., & Pechacek J (year).
PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING PRACTICE
My nursing philosophy emphasizes a comprehensive and cooperative approach to fostering overall health and wellness. I have gained a deep understanding of how physical, emotional, and social factors impact health outcomes throughout my nursing career in various healthcare environments.
My approach to healthcare revolves around placing the patient at the center, acknowledging their individuality and diverse backgrounds (Mcewen & Wills, 2011). I value each person’s unique values, beliefs, and cultural heritage, weaving them thoughtfully into their care experience. Collaboration is at the heart of my nursing practice, and my approach focuses on joining forces with patients, their loved ones, and the diverse medical team to create well-rounded care plans that tackle physical but emotional and psychosocial health aspects.
As I set out on my mission to attain a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at Walden University, my aspirations involve broadening my understanding and proficiency in worldwide health matters while championing positive societal transformation as (Edwards, 2019). Nurses are crucial in tackling worldwide health obstacles, encompassing health inequalities, infectious diseases, and healthcare accessibility (Hemingway & Bosanquet, 2018). By garnering advanced wisdom and competencies through the DNP curriculum, my ambition is to facilitate the enhancement of global health outcomes via active involvement in research, policy formulation, and the adoption of evidence-supported approaches.
As a DNP from Walden, the individual plans to immerse themselves in healthcare policy to advocate for fair healthcare accessibility, minimize health inequality, and elevate overall wellness for individuals and communities. They will collaborate with nursing groups to suggest policy modifications and lobby for enhanced funding for community health initiatives as according to National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2016).
In conclusion, my philosophy of nursing practice rooted in holistic care, collaboration, embracing diversity, advocating for social change, and contributing to global health issues will be expanded upon through the DNP education at Walden University.
References
Edwards, A. M. E. (2019). Implementation of a Transcultural Nursing Education Program to Improve Nurses’ Cultural Competence (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).
Hemingway, A., & Bosanquet, J. (2018). Role of nurses in tackling health inequalities. Journal of Community Nursing, 32(6), 62-64.
Mcewen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2011). Theoretical basis for nursing. Wolterskluwer Health.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2016). A framework for educating health professionals to address the social determinants of health.