Running head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 1

Personal Philosophy of Nursing

Kyrah Gibbs

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

3/11/18
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 2

Personal Philosophy of Nursing

My time is finally here. Beginning a new journey as a nursing student, I was asked to

identify my own personal values, beliefs and philosophies as they relate to nursing. This shall be

an interested assignment, because I am able to share my values, and beliefs. I believe that society

shapes us all and is an inevitable thing. Some people claim to be unique and unimpressionable,

but the mind works in such a way that no one is left to fully think on their own. Say if you were

raised in the United States, your values, ideals, vocabulary, and things you are interested in will

likely be quite different from if you were raised across the globe in any of the other countries. It

can be broken down even further and be said that if you are raised in New York, you will

probably turn out slightly different from if you were raised in say, California. The people around

us and the things we experience greatly shape who we are as a person.

Philosophy has been defined for us as “the study of the principles underlying conduct,

thought, and the nature of the universe” (Chitty & Black, 2011, p. 262). We live in a society

where individuals continuously focuses on data, numbers, and scientific findings, but philosophy

of life is over looked every day, the influence it has on decision-making, and the path of

professional careers and its connection to life. Philosophy and the concepts within philosophy

impact many avenues in my life such as my professional career, life, and my education

(Warburton, 2004). While working in the health care setting it is very imperative that you have a

written documentation on philosophy. Philosophy of nursing is a testimonial, at times written,

that states a nurse’s beliefs, values, and ethics concerning their care and treatment of patients

while they are in the nursing profession. To make it more specific, this written documentation

may include varies things such as nurses who practice holistic care and different treatment where
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 3

a patient’s personal philosophies, feelings and faith may play a crucial role in the sort of care the

patient receives.

According to Chitty & Black, “Values are freely chosen principles, ideals, or standards

held by an individual, class, or group that given meaning and direction to life. . .Values define

ideal modes of conduct and reflect what the individual or group endorses and tries to emulate”

(Chitty & Black, 2011, p. 258).

An individual’s beliefs are something that may be true or false, but the individual

believes in these ideas based on attitudes they have acquired throughout life and have been

verified by experience (Chitty & Black, 2011). I believe that beliefs are expectations we hold to

be true. When we make decisions, we use our beliefs to create them. Our values stem from our

beliefs. Beliefs are usually generalizations. Every now and then beliefs become very powerfully

engrained or sensitive. Beliefs can effect our manners, even our thoughts, in very influential

ways. Beliefs also literally shape your map of reality.

Values are those things that are significant, important and cherished by an individual, a

group of people, or an organization. Whether we are mindful of them or, not every single

individual has his or her basic set of values, which contain numerous diverse kinds of values.

Each individual’s value system is diverse from one another because individual’s values are made

up through one’s life involvement, atmosphere, and family background. The great Shirley

Chisholm once stated, “Service is the rent that you pay for room on this earth.” Every great

motivational leader must first be a follower and learn to serve others before they can lead. I

understood the value of service at a young age. Whether it was helping my mom with my

younger siblings, working with an outreach camp at the YMCA in college, or simply

volunteering my time and energy to my friends and family, I understand that it is everyone’s
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 4

duty on earth to serve one another; especially those in need. No matter how independent or self-

sufficient we are, we get nowhere in life alone. At some point in a person’s journey to success,

he or she must rely on someone for assistance in some capacity or another. The sooner a person

realizes that our mission in life is to be servants, the better.

Through the help of nursing professionals with servants’ hearts like mine at Bon Secours

Memorial College of Nursing, I have started my new journey of caring for those in need. The

mission of Bon Secours College of Nursing aligns with my personal mission by cultivating

servant leaders. I share the same passion for bringing health and happiness to a diverse group of

people and communities. As I reflect on my trips to and from the NICU with my mom to help

her feed and bathe my siblings, the passion for serving others overwhelms and I cannot wait to

have the opportunity to make serving my career.

I am eager to further my education, while learning different techniques to become a

competent nurse. I know my time at Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing will pass very
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 5

swiftly. As I interact with diverse patients every day they will bring new opportunities and

experiences. My personal philosophy, values, and beliefs will not only help me grow, but it will

also help become a more marketable nurse. Despite my patients’ religious beliefs or affiliations, I

can inspire a spirit of solidarity through my commitment to providing excellent care to all by

treating every human with dignity.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING 6

References

Chitty, K., & Black, B. (2011). Professional nursing: Concepts and challenges (6th ed.).

Maryland Heights, MO: Saunders.