Philosophy of Nursing with compassion - Essay Example

Submitted by Diana Ina, RN In partial fulfillment of the requirements of Transition to Professional Nursing N3645 Jeanean Boyd, MSN, RN January 24, 2015Philosophy of Nursing with Compassion The philosophy in Nursing serves as the conceptual framework of how patients are cared for. Nursing to me is a work of the heart. Compassion is the key in interacting with patients and getting them to focus on forming trust in the healthcare professional. Everyday many people are hospitalized due to many reasons and diagnosis.

The first impression of the healthcare professional is what the patient will always remember. Nursing is a wonderful and unique area of study that God grants to people that I believe have a servant’s heart. We make a difference in so many areas such as healing, environment, self –worth and the total well – being of the patient. Nightingale’s philosophy includes the four meta-paradigm concepts of Nursing, but the primary focus is on the patient and the environment (Nightingale, 1860/1969).

Health is “not only to be well, but to be able to use well every power we have to use,” (Nightingale, 1969, p. 24)Choice of NursingNursing has been a fascination of mine since I was a little girl. I have a lot of compassion and love for people. My career started at the age of 17; graduating from the High School of Health Professions. I worked 4 years as a Nurse Aide, 10 years as a LVN, and now 22 years as a RN. I look at the patients I care for with a heart as if they were my family members; giving excellent care.

I feel God gave me a gift to share and take care of others. Philippians 2:4 states “Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interests of others. (Holy Bible King James Version).Ephesians 4:32 states “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave us.” (Holy Bible King James Version)I recently had tragedy in my own life and was a bit heartbreaking. My husband died from a cardiac arrest on dialysis in October 2014. Being a dialysis nurse I questioned coming back to dialysis and even nursing profession.

After 3 months to heal and go through my grief, I now realize this where God wants me to be and be more effective. The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to preserve integrity and safety. (ANA, 2001, p. 18)Essence of NursingThe core of Nursing is caring and compassion. Patient - centered care is a very important component that recognizes the total well – being of the patient with a holistic approach.The patient is given compassionate, coordinated, age and culturally appropriate, safe and effective care (Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, 2010, p. 9).Historically from the era of Florence Nightingale‘s philosophy focused on the primarily on the patient and their environment, with the nurse controlling the environment to enhance the recovery of the patient.

The ANA code of ethics for nurses was developed as a guide to responsibility care for patients in a manner that reflected quality in nursing care and the ethical obligations of the Nursing profession. Sometimes in today’s society “quality of care “ can be jeopardized for many reasons such as short staffing for patient to nurse ratio, lack of supplies necessary to care for patients due to hospitals budget issues. The quality of care for older people that are residents of long – term care is also an ethical concern.

There are political factors that also influence professional pursing practice. Healthcare reform is a major issue due to so many people that can’t afford health insurance. The Affordable Care Act provides access to insurance for all Americans through tax credits and premium assistance, which should significantly improve access to healthcare. (Healthcare Reform: Chapter 12 Law and the Professional Nurse).Beliefs and ValuesA patient is a person that is receiving a medical treatment or healthcare services.

The patient is most times ill or in need of medical treatment by a physician or hospital. Human being/patients are the recipient of nursing care or services. Patients may be individuals, families, groups, communities or populations (AACN, 1998, p. 2 as cited in Massachusetts Department of Higher Education , 2010 , p. 7).The patient’s family members and significant other also depend on the healthcare team to take competent care of their loved ones. It is critical to communicate with the family members or significant other, also keeping HIPPA guidelines in mind .

Family members are the vital links in the transition from hospital to home care. (Patient/Family Education Learning Module, uhn just.org.)My fellow health care providers serve in many roles with patients including, practitioner, social worker, dietician, caregiver and advocate. They work as a team to meet and address the holistic care of the patient. Placing RN behind your name means you are committed to the legal, ethical, and moral responsibilities that define professional roles. These responsibilities are based on (ANA’s) Nursing Scope and Standards of Professional Practice, the ANA’s Nursing Cide of Ethics, and the ANA’s Nursing Social Policy Statement.

I am 52 years old and I am in good health. My weight is something I am working to decrease my weight due to being pre-diabetic. I have a personal trainer and I have changed my eating habits based on the advice of my primary MD whom I trust.Vision for the FutureIn 2 years I would still like to be working with Home Hemodialysis which is the provision of dialysis in the home of a patient with End Stage Renal disease. Concurrently doing Peritoneal dialysis, in which the inside lining of your abdomen acts as a natural filter.

In 5 years I want to continue in the same areas of dialysis, incorporating traveling to other facilities as an educator to train other nurses to perform dialysis, along with competencies reviews. I also want to have my BSN completed.In 10 years I would like to have completed my MSN to be teaching Nursing at a accredited university. Education is my goal as I head into my retirement years to motivate and encourage new nurse into the field.SummaryMy strengths that will support my personal goals are determination, compassion, professionalism and my faith in God to be in Nursing for 34 years and continue to provide quality care to patients.

I am a strong team player with my fellow healthcare provides.I am a great communicator who speaks up to and express my thoughts both clearly and concisely.There are financial limitations that may prolong how long it takes me to get my BSN to MSN. Since the recent death of my husband, lack of moving forward mentally may be a stumbling block, along with fear. I have to overcome lack of motivation and just push forward and keep believing. Phillipians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

New King James Version (NKJV).ReferencesANA Code of Nurses: https://nursing world.org/ethics/code/protected nwcoe813.htm Holy Bible (King James Version)Chapter 2 -3: Philosophy of Nursing ---- Role Development in Professional Nursing Practice by Kathleen Masters