A nursing philosophy is a personal statement that reflects the nurse’s belief about the standards they hope to uphold throughout their nursing career. Information about nursing philosophy may be required of nurses who are in the process of applying for jobs, as it may be a part of their application package. Some treatment facilities will ask their nurses to provide a general statement about the work they do, making it public; therefore, nurses who work in hospitals know what to expect from the people they work with, in addition to the people they work for.
## Benefits of Nursing in Our Lives
The contents of a nursing philosophy can vary widely. The statement generally discusses who one is as a nurse and why they are in the career. Nurses tend to believe that their duties are to provide high-quality patient care by focusing on the advocacy and education of the patient. They also focus on working cooperatively with other members of a care team to achieve positive patient outcomes. A nursing philosophy may discuss a desire to work with patients and providers from diverse backgrounds, respecting those backgrounds. Statements like these often discuss accountability. Nurses want to be held responsible for their patients and other care providers to ensure that their work is held to a high standard. They also tend to emphasize professionalism in the workplace. This includes a desire to resolve conflicts comfortably, uphold high standards of conduct, and handle all patients with respect and sensitivity. Nursing can present challenges, such as working with patients who are in aggressive or embarrassing situations, and a nurse is responsible for navigating them. Nurses must complete a certain number of hours of continuing education each year to maintain their licenses. They may take additional hours or specialized training to improve patient care and diversify the services offered at their facility. This can be a significant part of a nurse’s overall approach to the job, as they want to ensure that patients receive the best care with the most up-to-date and effective training. Nursing schools often provide guidance to their students in developing a nursing philosophy at the end of their education. Sample statements are available, and students can complete worksheets and use other tools to help organize their thoughts about the nursing profession. This assistance can help a nurse to prepare a statement they can use when applying for a job or when applying for advanced nursing education.
