Thank you for your post Katherine. It is interesting to read how our philosophies are similar even though you are an Nurse Practitioner and I am in Nursing Administration. Treating the patient holistically is something I strive to do throughout my time as a nurse. When I was a bedside nurse, I remember repeating to myself “treat the patient, not the machine.” Looking over the DNP glossary from this week’s reading, one of the flash cards is Interprofessional Collaboration and is described as utilizing both the individual and collective skills and experience of team members, allowing them to function more effectively and deliver a higher level of care (Walden University 2021). Your social change goal is to create a more holistic manner of care rather than treating a single condition. Tagging on to the Interprofessional Collaboration description, does the widespread use of EHRs assist with the holistic approach to patient care? I am sure it depends on what EHRs system you are using, however as a bedside nurse with an EPIC EHR, I was able to view past hospital visits along with office visits. I felt this enabled me to see a broader view of the patient’s history which enable me to have a better view of what the patient was in the hospital for. McEwan & Wills (2019) also notes that nursing education is moving away from a large focus on skills and tasks to an increased focus on the integration of content and problem-solving strategies. Which will assist you with the goal of moving towards a holistic approach to patient care.
McEwen, M., PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, & Wills, E. M., PhD, RN. (2019). Theoretical basis for nursing (5th ed.). LWW
Walden University. (2021). DNP glossary [Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu
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Sample Answer 3 for NURS 8114 Discussion: Philosophy of Nursing Practice
Nurses perceive the health practice and routine responsibilities differently depending on their understanding of patient care, experience, and specialties, among other factors. As nurses execute their everyday functions, health outcomes and relationship with patients are highly influenced by a nurse’s philosophy. Cheraghi et al. (2019) described nursing philosophy as the values, ethics, beliefs, and motivations that inspire nurses to be health care professionals. I look forward to using my experience and skills to promote healthy living founded on kindness, empathy, compassion, and patient-centeredness. As an experienced mental health professional, I use these values in everyday care as a psychiatric nurse to influence patient-centered mental health care with the belief that nursing must be guided by caring, integrity, and sacrifice. It is a profession dedicated to improving other people’s lives.
As a nurse committed to deliver the best care and transform society, my general belief is that nurses should empathize with patients at all times. Patients also need to be understood and treated compassionately and given the confidence and assurance that they will be healed. As I examine how the world changes and the health problems that people experience, I believe that nursing should be lifelong learning where we must remain committed to addressing global health issues. In agreement with Roberts (2018), mental illness is a global problem that requires a global response. As a result, I am inspired to expand my experience and practice as a DNP to address global health issues such as mental health disorders as culturally and linguistically appropriate.
As a DNP, I have a social and moral obligation to advance positive social change. My role as a social change agent is to use my skills and experience to improve human and social conditions. My view aligns with Walden University’s definition of social change that involves applying strategies and ideas to develop individuals, communities, and societies (Walden University, 2021). As a Walden DNP, I will advocate for positive social change by using my skills and position to advocate for improved mental health services. I will also participate in policymaking to improve critical aspects of care, such as quality, access, and equity. Mentally ill people are not understood and are victims of stigmatization that worsens their conditions (da Silva et al., 2020). I will advocate for better treatment of vulnerable individuals to create an equal society for all.
Generally, I am a dedicated nurse who wants to see human beings enjoying life. Therefore, I will continue perceiving nursing as a personal responsibility to help people impartially. I will continue acquiring the skills necessary to deliver the best care as I integrate ideas, skills, and processes necessary into my practice to transform the world by reducing the illness burden.
References
Cheraghi, F., Yousefzadeh, M. R., & Goodarzi, A. (2019). The role and status of philosophy in nursing knowledge, insight and competence. Journal of Clinical Research in Paramedical Sciences, 8(2). doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.5812/jcrps.90762
da Silva, A. G., Baldaçara, L., Cavalcante, D. A., Fasanella, N. A., & Palha, A. P. (2020). The impact of mental illness stigma on psychiatric emergencies. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 573. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00573
Roberts, S. (2018, Jul 10). Mental illness is a global problem: We need a global response. Health Poverty Action. https://www.healthpovertyaction.org/news-events/mental-health-world-health-day-2017/
Walden University. (2021). Vision, mission, and goals. https://catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=179&navoid=65155
Sample Answer 4 for NURS 8114 Discussion: Philosophy of Nursing Practice
Thank you, Maggie, for your discussion. I observed the dimension of your nursing philosophy. It is interesting to note that your philosophy of nursing treats every person with care and compassion. Compassion is a virtue and a necessary trait of nursing. According to Dalvandi et al. (2019), compassion is the human and moral part of care, and compassionately responsive to patients’ care needs is one of the professional standards of nursing.
Today, more attention is paid to morality and compassion in patient care, and patients’ rights should be addressed in many situations. Nurses should be compassionate in the care they give to patients. Nurses should practice good manners and be polite to patients. They should reflect on what the patients have gone through during their illness.
I see from your discussion that you want to continue with this attribute of compassion and care as you transition to the next level of practice as a DNP. I recommend utilizing and implementing evidence-based research in this field, which will help to improve patient outcomes. For example, we can research the practice of compassionate care among nurses. If there is any gap in practice, we can advocate for change in this area. Knowledge gained from evidence-based research in nursing may indicate changing standards of nursing care policy. Moreover, DNP-prepared nurses are trained with the skills to become leaders and politicians who advance in their practice to protect the welfare of their patients.
References
Dalvandi, A., Varsi-Raygani, A., Nourozi, K; Ebadi, A., & Rahgozar, M. (2019). The importance and extent of compassionate nursing care from the viewpoint of patients hospitalized in educational hospitals in Kemanshah-Iran.
Sample Answer 5 for NURS 8114 Discussion: Philosophy of Nursing Practice
What is philosophy of nursing? For me, it is what I believe nursing should be and what I want to strive for in my career. I have been a nurse for over 32 years and over the years, it has changed. My philosophy has changed slightly to change with the times and standards of nursing care. I have never let it change in the area of direct care.
My philosophy of nursing is that each person is to be treated with compassion and care in the safest manner possible. Providing high quality care is patient-focused to reflect a caring, loving and empathetic nature. I want my attitude and personality to reflect a person of strong character that is compassionate and always has time for my patients.
My grandmother was a nurses aide for many, many years. As a child, I can remember going to the nursing home where my grandmother worked and sit in the lobby and wait for her to get off. Back then, there was no privacy act or HIPPA. I would go room to room with her cleaning and changing the elderly patients. I loved her compassion and patience with the patients and she set such a big example for me. This is the type of care I have always strived to provide for my patients each and every day.
Each patient is an individual and deserves to be treated as an individual. I believe no person reacts or responses to a situation in the same way. Each person should be looked at from a holistic position being mind, body and spirit and we have to address and treat all sides of the person. In caring for the patient, we can’t forget about the family. We are not just caring for the patient but we have to think about the family. When one person is sick, the whole family is affected.
When it comes to being an advocate for social change, I think this is something all seasoned nurses should be involved in our profession. One avenue of social change that is needed is where new graduates are concerned. Seasoned nurses have always been accused of “eating the young nurses”. This must stop because the younger generation of nurses are our future. We need to be able to step up and help them. I remember as a new nurse when this happened to me. I was fresh out of school and needed to do a procedure I had never done before and I asked an older nurse to help me. I will never forget her comment, she said “You’re the RN, you should know how to do it” and walked off. I knew the procedure steps in my head, I just needed an oversight. I swore that day that I would never be that kind of nurse. Today, I welcome new grads and student nurses because it gives me a chance to share my experience and my knowledge.
As a DNP, I want to use that compassion and caring philosophy to help shape and mold future generation of nurses. I believe my experiences throughout my career could help and benefit a future nurse’s growth and career. Nursing is an ever changing and revolving career with new technology and pharmacology appearing every day. We have to be able and willing to adapt and change with the times. I want to help future nurses adapt and prepare. I believe if I could impact one person, it would be worth everything.
Reference
Green, Catherine. A Philosophical Model of the Nature of Nursing. Nursing Research 67(2):p 93-98, March/April 2018. | DOI: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000247
Kristofferson M. (2019). Thoughts of creation and the discipline of nursing. Nursing open, 6(2), 566–573. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.239Links to an external site.
Prabawati, Dewi. (2019). Why do nurses need philosophy?. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research (IJSBAR). 46. 183-187.