Running head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY

Personal Philosophy
Amanda Thomas
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
I Pledge.

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When it comes to the world of nursing, almost everyone has different ideas about the way to
achieve the best outcomes for patients. There are many different theories as well as theorists
based on nursing. The theorist I chose to relate to my personal philosophy and the values of Bon
Secours is Jean Watson. I agree with her concepts being incorporated into the patients care plan
and treatment.
Jean Watson believed in four concepts, they included; health, nursing, environment/society,
and the human being itself (Jean Watson, 2015). According to Nursing Theory, Jean Watson
believed, "a valued person in and of him or herself to be cared for, respected, nurtured,
understood and assisted; in general a philosophical view of a person as a fully functional
integrated self. Human is viewed as greater than and different from the sum of his or her parts."
(Nursing theory.com). I believe her concepts all tie together and one cannot be treated without
the other.
My personal philosophy relates to Jean Watsons theories. I believe a patients wellbeing
and better outcomes depend on many factors. As a nurse I believe everyone needs to be treated
with respect and compassion while clinically being cared for. The environment is a major factor
effecting patient outcomes. A clean and comfortable environment allows for the patient to heal.
Cleanliness helps prevent against infections and ensures the patient will not develop any hospital
acquired diseases. Ensuring the patient is comfortable with clean linens, a clean gown, and not
soiled helps prevent against bed sores and other skin breakdown. It also will help the patient feel
better about their situation. Many people are most vulnerable when they are sick and
hospitalized, so comfort is key in the treatment plan. I also personally believe sitting down with
the patient and/or family member at the beginning of the shift to establish a game plan for the
shift promotes great outcomes. So often patients/family members are on a different page from the

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nurses caring for them or their loved ones, and that can result in tension or misunderstandings.
Ensuring five minutes to walk through everyones expectations and hopeful outcomes for the
shift promotes no misunderstandings.
The Bon Secours values also have a major role in my personal philosophy. The Bon Secours
values include; respect, justice, integrity, stewardship, compassion, quality, growth, and
innovation (Bon Secours, 2015). All the Bon Secours values are important and need to be
incorporated into every patients care. The two most important values to me however, are respect
and compassion. I believe there is no relationship developed that does not need to be built on
respect. Respect between caregivers and patients/families is essential to developing working
relationships. Compassion is the driving force behind a nurses care. The minute any nurse or
healthcare worker feels they lose compassion, even if for a second, is when they need to step
back and reevaluate their role and responsibility as a nurse. Compassion is so incredibly
important in the Catholic health ministry. As a nurse who is part of the Catholic health ministry, I
take pride in feeling compassionate for my patients and their families as well as treating them
that way. People are able to sense genuine caring. If a nurse seems to be rushed or uninterested in
what the patient/family is really saying or needs, that will reflect through their care. Going back
to the concept of spending five minutes talking to the patient and/or family really shows interest
and that they are worth the extra time.
Since the beginning of nursing, theories on how the field should be driven have been
practiced. All nurses have their own reasons and ways of approaching things. I personally believe
my philosophy works best for me, although I am sure I will learn many more approaches in my
nursing care with upcoming experience. Having the flexibility to have my own beliefs and

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practices really make me thankful for being part of the field and part of the Catholic health
ministry.

References

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Jean Watson Nursing Theory. (n.d.). Retrieved October 18, 2015, from http://www.nursingtheory.org/theories-and-models/watson-philosophy-and-science-of-caring.php
Our values. (n.d.). Retrieved October 18, 2015, from http://hso.bonsecours.com/about-us-ourmission-our-values.html