Personalphilosophyofnursing 100911143057 Phpapp02 1

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Personal Philosophy of Nursing
Elizabeth A. Libby RNC IBCLC
Having been in nursing since 1974, I have seen and participated in many transformations in
nursing. In the 1970’s and 1980’s the medical community had the upper hand and knew what
was best for the patient. We wore white uniforms, nurse’s cap, school pin, name pin, white
stockings and polished white shoes. We carried the air of authority. The patient was submissive
and the family did not count in the process or ask too many questions. They were there to visit
and take the patient home once the nurses had restored their health. Patients were at times not
told of their diagnosis. Many of the hospitals where I have worked seemed only interested in
caring for the sick patient, not the person. We would often refer to the “Gallbladder or fractured
hip in room 409”. We would get them out the door so we could get the next patient admitted.
Nursing at that time was still very controlled by the doctors and nurses did as they were told with
few exceptions. Nurses charting was by omission. If you didn’t chart it, then you didn’t do it or
were not involved in the incident and could not be held responsible. This behavior was
encouraged at that time. Nurses were also not involved in policy making and followed the
policies of others almost without question. No one asked a staff nurse her opinion about
anything. You got your schedule and you came to work, took good care of your patients, charted
and went home. Each department in the hospital worked in isolation. Even in today's fast food
world, a quick turn around seems essential in everything including the hospital stay. Women
with breast cancer are to take in the diagnosis, have surgery and out the door to have follow up
radiation and /or chemo. The nurse must triage and treat, meet all the needs of patient and family
with the DRG time frame. She does all this with safety, Quality Improvement, Joint
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Commission and very tight budgets in mind. Orem’s self care deficit model fills the need to
administer care to the patient assisting them toward independence (George, 2002). The self care
model was the focus of my thinking and behavior for many years. The nurse acts as the
facilitator to the patient's decision-making process and respect is said to be emphasized by the
important role the patient plays in her own care. Within this model, the patient moves through
stages of dependence to independence, (McEwen & Wills 2007). I found respect and patient
decision making to be given at best lip service, and they better move through the stages to
independence pretty darn fast. I no longer play this game. Moving forward in my career and
obtaining my BSN, I appreciate the difference in a occupation and a profession. I believe that to
present nursing on a professional level that the BSN requirement is necessary.
I have contemplated many of the nursing theories and believe that I incorporate many parts of
several theories into my own practice. I feel I am continuing to evolve as time goes on. I think it
is not only beneficial but essential to maintain growth in my nursing career whether it is formal
education or experience. I grew up with a Quaker background and this in part molds my personal
philosophy. Our belief is a commitment to non-violence and a being open and tolerant of other
cultures. We believe that we must show outwardly what we attest to experience inwardly. Our
lives are to be demonstrated in peace, equality, integrity and simplicity.
The Theory of Human Caring as defined by Jean Watson fits well with my own nursing
philosophy today. Her theory focuses on the human experience being not one truth, but many
truths and thinking must be non-linear (George 2002). In this theory you will find three
conceptual elements. These elements are described as Carative Factors, Transpersonal and a
Caring Moment and the Caring Occasion/Moment (nursing.ucdenver). The Theory of Human
Caring also includes not only the patient but the care giver as well (Cara 2003). At times, our
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critical thing skills tend to move in a linear direction and collide with this theory. It is a challenge
but is easily over-come if one is creative. Often there is a need to look outside the limits of our
scope of practice without stepping across the line. Both the client and nurse are well served when
this occurs. The ability to meet these challenges rekindles the desire and belief that a nurse is
instrumentalin creating change and finds reward in being a significant figure in that clients
outcome.
Human beings are different from all other species on earth. We have unique personal values,
beliefs and create our own past, present and future as well as have concern for others (George,
2002). Environmental forces act upon us and forge the individual we become. Our strengths and
weaknesses are exposed but we are protected / nurtured by family and community throughout
our life cycle. Our ultimate weakness may appear as illness. This person and extended family
then enter the new community of medicine. This new medical community may have beliefs and
practices that differ from those of the patient and family. As the nurse I must consider the whole
patient, extended family and the community in which they reside. I have found that I am now
more concerned with the patients’ comfort and understanding of the illness process than I am
about schedules or others’ agendas. I fully believe that each patient should get first-rate medical
care, but that is only part of the picture. I definitely have a reputation as the patient advocate of
our unit and enjoy helping the patient move more easily through the system. At times this adds a
tremendous amount of work to my day. It is not only the patient and family but social service,
business office, public health, mental health, or even DYFS (Division of Youth and Family
Services) in which I find myself involved. I believe in doing whatever it takes to get the
individual the services they need. I am no longer timid about stepping up into a leadership roll
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and do not fearing failure. Somewhere I heard something that went, with failure comes
knowledge and with knowledge comes wisdom, or at least I hope so.

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References
Cara, C. (2003). A pragmatic view of Jean Watson’s caring theory. International Journal of
Human Caring. Vol 7 (3) pp 51-57.
George, J. (2002). Nursing Theories: The Base for Professional Nurse Practice. (5th ed.) Upper
Saddle River: Prentice Hall
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. (2007). Theoretical Basis for Nursing. (2nd ed.) New York: Lippincott
Williams & Wilks.
http://www.ucdenver.edu/faculty/theory_caring.htm, University of Colorado at Denver. Caring.
Retrieved September 9, 2010.

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Personal Philosophy of Nursing

Elizabeth A. Libby RNC IBCLC

present nursing on a professional level that the BSN requirement is necessary.

lives are to be demonstrated in peace, equality, integrity and simplicity.

knowledge and with knowledge comes wisdom, or at least I hope so.

Human Caring. Vol 7 (3) pp 51-57.

Saddle River: Prentice Hall

Williams & Wilks.

http://www.ucdenver.edu/faculty/theory_caring.htm, University of Colorado at Denver. Caring.

Retrieved September 9, 2010.

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