My Personal Philosophy of Nursing

This paper is a first attempt at forming and articulating my own philosophy of nursing.

Our course, Transition to Professional Nursing, is barely two weeks old and already I am being enlightened and challenged to expand my experience of nursing. I will attempt to explain my personal journey and experience thus far including how and why I got here, my beliefs about nursing and related values, and my visions for the future.

The Nursing Choice

Nursing came in a round-about way for me. I had little direction when I graduated high school and had already disregarded the nursing field due to an incident with a family member (who was a nurse) that had left a negative impression about the nursing field on me. I entered college planning on a pre-med or biology major. I had built up a vision of college being different- scholarly, intellectual, advanced- different somehow than school before. I soon was disillusioned. My first biology course was a bitter disappointment and I turned away from any thoughts of a medical/health related career altogether.

Several years, colleges, and majors later I found myself still without a gut-felt direction. On a whim I decided to go to EMT school. It was there that I was finally introduced to the healthcare field and loved it at once. After finishing the program I worked the 911 system and also took a job as a patient care technician in a pediatric emergency department. I quickly saw that the hospital setting was where I wanted to be and that I had to become a nurse. That I did, and haven't left the emergency department since!

The Essence of Nursing

I truly believe that the core, the essence, of nursing (outside of a true emergency where measures to sustain or revive life become paramo...

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...en I have a goal. I work hard and don't give up easily. I am a perpetual optimist always looking to the future and learning from my mistakes rather than letting them pull me down. I have a certain amount of natural intelligence, and what I lack I make up for with persistence and tenacity. I have an inherent belief that I will accomplish my goals that keeps me positive and pursuing my goals even when it is difficult to do so.

I will need to overcome some obstacles in order to accomplish my goals. Family obligations will challenge my time management and multitasking skills. Procrastination is one of the biggest obstacles I face. I will need to develop more patience as I feel demands of the family encroaching on my professional goals. I tend to be shortsighted and allow myself to feel overwhelmed rather than being able to keep everything in perspective.