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Sherrill Butler-Williamson

Reflection: Nursing Philosophy

My Nursing Philosophy is that nursing care is a gift that encompasses my values, compassionate and
competent care for others, and putting others’ needs and safety to the forefront while treating the
whole person. Achieving these goals occurs through nurturing the needs of each patient, recognizing the
uniqueness of my patients and peers, respecting a person dignity and beliefs, supporting my patients
through collaboration, and using evidence-base practice to complete all goals and tasks as a nurse.

My Nursing Philosophy has not changed at all through this BSN journey. It has been enhanced through
gaining more knowledge. As I traveled through this program I have learned the importance of Nursing
Research and the advancement of technology that helps to guide my nursing practice. While traveling
this road to my BSN I have taken this knowledge to the level of implementation. I am currently working
on a research project that uses the latest technology for preventing retained surgical items in patients. I
am planning to present my findings to administration in 2019 with the goal of receiving permission for
implementation. This demonstrates the importance of evidence-based practice in nursing. Florence
Nightingale, the angel, used systematic data collection to change policies and nursing practices. She
noted that for every one soldier that died from wounds, seven died from disease. The evidence
suggested that to prevent more deaths, that they needed to prevent the spread of disease (Irimra, R., &
Gottschling, M., 1996)

While embarking through my Community Nursing and Global Health courses, they taught me a lot about
myself and how important it is to remember that patient-centered care is only achieved when you
recognize that patients that come under your care are all different. It taught me to first gain trust by
respecting each patient’s needs and differences. Patients may present with a physical aliment, but they
may have social, cultural, emotional needs that must be addressed so that the patient is able to reach
the desired health outcomes (Connell Meehan, T., 2012). As an operating room nurse, I have a short
window to create a trusting relationship; therefore, reviewing patient charts and histories prior to
meeting them allows me to have some background, and it also gives patients a sense of security. I
treated a patient that appeared very afraid of surgery. I tried to comfort her and reminded the patient
that surgery was optional. After talking to the patient for a period it was identified that the patient did
not have anyone to take care of her after surgery. I collaborated with Guest Relations and Social Work.
They implemented home health care for this patient. She was able to have her surgery that day. Giving
patients what they need to get an optimal result, that’s nursing.

My Nursing Philosophy has also been enhanced through the knowledge that I have gain through my
Nursing Advocacy course. I know how to support and advocate for my patients while they were under
my care, but with education I have learned that I can support my patient’s and my peers indirectly by
advocating through a local, national, and global platform to address the needs of my community. Last
week I had the opportunity to present my case in front of Senator Tom Capers and other local officials
on the opioid crisis and the lack of resources, long-term facilities, in Kent County Delaware. I also
attended a local debate where all the individuals that are running for state offices were in attendance. I
presented the same information to that entire group, asking them how they can assist with this issue.
Both opportunities were priceless and life -changing for me. I am developing the skills and the courage
to assist with change. Nurses at all levels regardless of titles or positions must remember that it is our
duty to advocate for our patients to promote a safer and more efficient quality of life not just for the
present, but for the future (Speak to be heard: Effective nurse advocacy, 2017).

The only goal in my original Nursing Philosophy that has changed is my desire for higher education. I first
stated that I was going back to school for my MSN, now I have enrolled to a nursing program that has
BSN-DPN. I am so excited about Nursing.

Cornell Meehan, T. (2012). SPIRITUALITY and spiritual care from a careful nursing perspective.

JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, 20(8), 990-1001. DOI: 10.1111/J. 1365-2834.


2012.01462.X

Irimra, R., & Gottschling, M. (1996). Florence Nightingale and the early origins of evidence-based

nursing. Bmj, 313(7064). doi:10.1136/bmj.313.7064.3a

Speak to be heard: Effective nurse advocacy. (2017, November 22). Retrieved November 2, 2018, from

https://www.americannursetoday.com/speak-to-be-heard-effective-nurse-advocacy/

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