Nursing students learn about the values and principles necessary to become a nurse as early as their first term of nursing school. But eventually, each nursing student or nurse must choose what they cherish most and how to apply those values to their nursing duties. This crucial stage is often referred to as personal nursing philosophy. You might have heard of nursing philosophies but are confused about creating your own.

Have you ever questioned, “how can I write a personal nursing philosophy?” If this describes you, keep reading! This blog will take you through the steps of writing a personal nursing philosophy, among other helpful insights.

What is a personal nursing philosophy?

A nursing philosophy is a statement of purpose that describes the values, beliefs, and individual and professional integrity of a nurse concerning the nursing field. It also outlines their driving force for becoming a nurse.

This statement may consider the training, education, professional experience, specific method of patient care, and professional nursing job objectives of a nurse. Some statements about nursing philosophy may be about what it means to you to be a nurse, what you believe defines an outstanding nurse, or what makes you a competent nurse.

How to write a personal nursing philosophy essay

Follow the tips below to help you get started when writing your nursing philosophy essay;

Start by thinking about why you chose to nurse, and while at it, try to answer the following questions

• What qualifications should a nurse have?
• Why did I want to be a nurse?
• What characteristics define an excellent nurse?
• What are my nursing philosophies?
• Which principles are crucial to nurses?
• Why do I think caregiving is important?
• What nursing-related ideas do I hold?

These questions are designed to assist you in identifying your principles and beliefs. Follow the guidelines below to start writing your nursing philosophy statement.

1. Identify what first attracted you to nursing

You can be motivated to pursue a career in nursing in various ways, such as by receiving good care from a nurse, having a family member who works in the field, or observing nurses caring for a loved one.

To understand why you selected nursing over other professions, consider the people and events that initially motivated you to become a nurse. For instance, you might have chosen to become a nurse rather than a doctor because you want to connect with patients more closely.

2. Consider why you value nursing

Analyze your motivations for providing care for patients, educating the public about general health, and working with a team of medical experts to treat various medical conditions. Maybe you like to get to know your patients and make them feel comfortable while they receive care. Or you may like the challenge of working in a high-pressure medical setting where you can save lives. Include this component in your personal nursing philosophy statement to develop energy and a sense of identity with your work.

3. Explain your nursing skills

Understanding your strengths will enable you to use your philosophy statement to support and work to develop your nursing skills further. You can either list the qualities and abilities required for nursing or the qualities and abilities you possess that make you a terrific nurse.

4. Describe your personal values

Create a list of the specific principles that guide your nursing practice. Some nursing values can include;

• Innovation
• Equality
• Quality
• Patience
• Accountability
• Integrity
• Service
• Community
• Teamwork

Then, consider how your personal values apply to your nursing practice. Check a sample nursing philosophy at bestnursingwritingservices.com to learn how to connect them in your philosophy essay.

5. Consider the positive effect you want to make as a nurse

Your personal nursing philosophy statement can also include your professional objectives, which can inspire and direct you as you advance in your field. For instance, you might want to contribute to a better world by creating a welcoming atmosphere for patients with chronic illnesses or educating your community members about improving their health.

6. Reconsider your nursing philosophy as your nursing job progresses

As you progress in your healthcare profession and endure career and personal challenges, your perspective on the nursing profession and your goals may shift.

Continually assess your personal nursing philosophy statement and update it to reflect any new abilities, characteristics, values, motivations, objectives, or patient care strategies to make sure that your nursing philosophy develops along with you.

Importance of personal nursing philosophy in nursing

A personal nursing philosophy is your viewpoint on the traits that make a good nurse, the contribution that nurses make to the health and well-being of past, present, and future patients, and the qualities that distinguish you as a top nurse.

Here are some circumstances you can apply nursing philosophy and why it is important;

• For inspiration at work

Drawing on your nursing philosophy, you can stay motivated in the face of career or emotional workplace challenges.

As you acquire more expertise as a nurse, keep refining your nursing philosophy. You might come across fresh challenges at work, identify fresh career objectives, pick up new skills, or polish your personality traits as they apply to nurses.

If you allow your philosophy to change along with you, you can make sure that it still inspires you and corresponds to your work position.

• Application for nursing positions

Throughout nursing school and as you acquire more practical training experience, you may update and optimize your personal nursing philosophy.

When applying for nursing jobs, you can use the philosophy you formulated while in nursing school to compose your cover letter and respond to interview questions about your passion, motivation, and career objectives.

• To assist you in making choices at work

You might deal with difficult scenarios with patients, their families, or coworkers. If you need specialized help on how to write a nursing philosophy, research some expertly written examples of personal nursing philosophy online.

Understanding your nursing philosophy can help you handle these situations better and make decisions consistent with your ethical principle and how you view your position as a nurse.

• Enrolling in nursing programs

Many nursing colleges require aspiring students to submit a personal philosophy of nursing essay outlining their career goals and reasons for wanting to become nurses. You can write your first personal nursing philosophy to describe to the school what motivated you to seek nursing, what characteristics and abilities you possess that would make you a valuable nurse, and your aspirations as a qualified nurse.

• To assist you in picking career and educational options

You might want to further your studies, training, or career as you acquire experience. Make sure your nursing philosophy mirrors your current values, qualities, skills, and passions for nursing.

Use this statement to guide you in selecting the most relevant opportunities to help you start your nursing philosophy paper introduction well, such as advanced degrees, specialized certifications, volunteer opportunities, and nursing leadership positions.

Expert tips for writing a personal nursing philosophy

Here are some additional tips to help you write a stellar nursing philosophy

• Be yourself

Write your personal nursing ideology without attempting to impress others or projecting an unreal sense of self. Be sincere when describing who you are and why you value nursing.

• Display your readiness for action

In your philosophical statement, use active verbs. Using words that indicate an action or the intention to take action will help you adhere to the principles of your philosophy and demonstrate your motivation to others.

• Keep a duplicate in a visible location for easy access

If you want to remember it, put it in writing and display it somewhere you’ll see it frequently, like your desk or locker at work.

• Make it short

Write your statement in one to three lines to keep it short and quick to recall for your resume and nursing interviews.

Personal philosophy of nursing essay

Nursing philosophy examples can differ depending on the nurse. The philosophy a nurse adopts when approaching practice may be influenced by their preference for a particular specialty, past employment history, or wish for a particular position.

As a nurse, you will align more with the values that guide you personally and professionally as you acquire experience. There are lots of personal philosophy of nursing essay examples you can explore. However, don’t be afraid to form your philosophy rather than feeling like you must fit into a “cookie-cutter mold” based on other people’s thoughts.

Components of a personal nursing philosophy

Nursing philosophy can include a number of different components, but the main ones, which are explained below, include; process, knowledge, values, and position.

• Process

The process is the mechanism by which nurses adopt and, if required, modify nursing interventions

• Knowledge

Knowledge refers to the nurse’s academic and professional experiences and how they impact their position as a nurse

• Values

The attitudes, actions, and moral perceptions of a nurse are governed by their values. Beliefs can be either private or public

• Position

Position refers to the nursing profession membership of the care manager or provider

Final thoughts

A personal nursing philosophy is essential to nursing work because it directs nurses’ decision-making, patient care, and professional growth. It presents a framework for ethical and caring treatment and reflects the beliefs, values, and ideals that nurses uphold. One must reflect on their experiences, knowledge, and values to develop a personal nursing philosophy and use this information to guide their nursing practice. For more information on this topic, visit bestnursingwritingservices.com for more help.