Discussion replies

Collegeaues post:

1. My nursing philosophy, I feel has changed over time with the more experience and education I receive.  I think that it is important to point out that I come from a large family of nurses that has deeply rooted in me the importance of truly caring for individuals. Through their dedication to the field I found my way and my passion also. I would say that my nursing philosophy in the beginning of my career was to treat everyone the best that I could and provide them the best care within my power. Although, I still feel this way I have learned that there is so much more to it then that. I have learned that we have to treat the whole person and look at all the situation as a whole in order to understand the patient we are treating. Covid really solidified this for me as well and made me realize all the factors that go into treating a “patient.” The Institute of Medicine has the right idea with their vision of providing quality patient centered care to all Americans using many different approaches and collaboration. Also, pointing out that there has not been one single dominant philosophy in nursing due to nursing being so multi-disciplined. (Mcewen & Wills, 2019). This is important because nursing is so complex and dimensional with many ideas. I think this goes hand and hand with my philosophy proving that nothing is black and white and many factors must be considered when treating a patient. My area of expertise currently is leadership and I feel I have taken that approach with my employees as well, trying to understand them and their circumstances. One foundation of nursing education was learning about Florence Nightingale and her philosophy, to provide comprehensive care providing patients with the best conditions possible thinking holistically and comprehensively. (Cheraghi, Yousefzadeh, Goodarzi, 2019). That philosophy guided myself through my career and advanced education. My early career started in the emergency department where I learned a great deal about the diversity and real health issues and concerns in the community. These early ideas are what have made me progress in my education and has also shaped my career and how I treat both patients and fellow employees. My goals for expanding my learning through the DNP is to deepen my awareness of cultural biases, diversity, and bigger issues surrounding the health of individuals. I currently work at the VA Medical Center and caring for veterans is so rewarding and also so challenging. It is a must to see them as a whole and look at all of the factors involved in their care, with mental health and current financial status being very important. Using the DNP I plan to impact social changes that will help with policy, procedure, and satisfaction. The knowledge that I will gain in the Leadership DNP program will help me be in a position to not only understand but also change the situations around me. Advanced nursing degrees impact change with the use of evidence based and best practice which is greatly needed when considering changes. Research shows that the higher education a nurse has typically correlates to the level of professional moral and a higher critical thinking ability. (Sibandze & Scafide, 2018). This supports how my education can help me impact my work and adopt an effective change model.  I plan to advocate for positive change during my time at Walden by being open with my peers and as supportive as possible. I will do this by helping when needed, collaborating on the Facebook page, and providing words of encouragement when needed. 

 

Cheraghi, F., Yousefzadeh, M.R., & Goodarzi, A. (2019). The Role and Status of Philosophy in Nursing Knowledge, Insight and Competence. Journal of Clinical Research in Paramedical Sciences. doi:10.5812/jcrps.90762.

McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2019). Theoretical basis for nursing (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.  2-22.

Sibandze, B.T., Scafide, K.N. (2018). Among nurses, how does education level impact professional values? A systematic review. International Nurses Review, 65(1): 65-77. doi:10.1111/inr.12390. 

2. There are many philosophies when it comes to the nursing profession, but the main goal for every nurse whether it be a bedside registered nurse, a nurse practitioner or a PhD nurse their main focus is to provide the best care for their patients (Doe, 2023). My experience and beliefs remained the same from the moment I started my career as a nurse and will remain the same after I finish my studies as a DNP. The experiences garnered over the years have helped with my development as a nurse and have helped me to recognized that nursing is global and dynamic and we must always open ourselves to use best practices that is based on evidence-based research to get the best outcome for our patients. Most of my experience as a nurse has been in the hospital and nursing home, but not in the community until I started pursuing a higher education and had clinics that I attended in diverse communities. My area of study is to become a family nurse practitioner and my plan is to work in a diverse community where I can see and work with people from different background and culture. This can help to broaden my knowledge and experience that will help me understand how to communicate and provide the best care possible for this group (Greco, 2019). I was drawn to this concept during some of my previous clinicals where I had the opportunity to care for people from the middle east who were mainly Muslims, people from Asia, people from Europe and some from countries that speak Spanish. These experiences have shown me that learning about different cultures in a text book is very different from experiencing it first-hand.

Working as a bedside nurse I have always felt that there is much more that I should be doing for my patients and that was my driving force that had pushed me to further my studies and become a DNP. I want to provide care for my patients without limitations and I want to be good at it. It is a known fact that providers who engaged in evidence-base practice normal have a better patient outcome (McNett, Masciola, Sievert & Tucker, 2021). And I want to be one of those providers. Walden University has helped many to pursue their dreams and I have no doubt that it will help me to achieve my goals by equipping me with the skills to be an advocate for social change and justice for all in the healthcare system. My plan is to work with policymakers to look at some of the perennial problems of healthcare disparity that affect the most vulnerable and to address them in a meaningful way.

In conclusion, the opportunity that comes with being a nurse is endless especially when you can operate at the highest level as a DNP where you have a seat at the table and is able to influence and shape policies that will provide a good outcome for your patients and staff alike. I am looking forward to being a trailblazer like some many that came before because I want to make changes that will impact many lives.

 

 

References

Doe, M. J. (2023). The science of nursing practice originating from the philosophy of nursing. Nursing Science Quarterly, 36(3), 306–308. 
https://doi.org/10.1177/08943184231169772Links to an external site.

Greco, M. (2019). The lived experience of doctors of nursing practice in pursuit of a doctor of philosophy degree in nursing. International Journal of Nursing Education, 11(4), 195–199. 
https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-9357.2019.00118.1Links to an external site.

McNett, M., Masciola, R., Sievert, D., & Tucker, S. (2021). Advancing evidence‐based practice through implementation science: critical contributions of doctor of nursing practice‐ and doctor of philosophy‐prepared nurses. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 18(2), 93–101. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12496

3. Throughout my professional experience as an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse, I have developed a profound understanding that the nursing profession extends beyond the confines of conventional therapeutic interventions. The integration of evidence-based treatment, compassionate care, and a comprehensive comprehension of the complex interplay of human emotions and vulnerabilities is particularly notable inside the intensive care unit (ICU) environment. By the assertions made by McEwen and Wills (2019), I find myself in agreement with the notion that nursing encompasses both scientific and artistic elements, effectively combining clinical expertise with compassionate care.

Beliefs Informing My Philosophy:

Everyone under medical care, particularly those in the intensive care unit, embodies a vast array of narratives, encounters, and affective states. In addition to the advanced technological devices and equipment, the profound essence of human existence exists. I strongly endorse the implementation of holistic treatment, which encompasses the comprehensive consideration and addressing of several dimensions of a patient’s well-being, including their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects (Dossey & Keegan, 2016). This approach is consistent with the viewpoint of McEwen and Wills (2019) regarding the significance of providing comprehensive and patient-centered treatment.

Goals for Expanding Experience and Practice: As I embark on the DNP program at Walden University, I envision:

Embracing Diversity: Enhancing my comprehension of cultural competence, guaranteeing that each patient is acknowledged, listened to, and treated with esteem regardless of their cultural background.

Addressing Global Health Issues: To broaden my knowledge beyond the confines of the intensive care unit (ICU), my objective is to incorporate a global health viewpoint, acknowledging the common obstacles and remedies within the healthcare field.

Collaborating Across Disciplines: Considering McEwen and Wills’ (2019) emphasis on the importance of collaborative care, my objective is to cultivate interdisciplinary collaborations that promote optimal patient outcomes.

 DNP Role as a Social Change Agent:

The role of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) extends beyond clinical skill, encompassing the responsibility of serving as a social change agent. The focal point pertains to the embodiment of a vision aimed at facilitating positive development within the healthcare sector. Walden’s dedication to social transformation is in line with the ground-breaking Lancet Commission’s (2010) advice that medical practitioners should promote social accountability and health equity. This statement underscores the conviction that as Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) professionals, we possess a responsibility to shape and impact prevailing healthcare norms within society.

Advocating for Positive Social Change:

A strategy I plan to employ is the implementation of patient education programs within intensive care unit (ICU) environments. Through the utilization of the Patient-Centered Care Model proposed by Epstein and Street (2011), it is posited that a well-informed patient can actively engage in their healthcare trajectory, hence maximizing desired outcomes and augmenting their overall healthcare encounter.

Conclusion

My nursing philosophy is influenced by notable figures such as Nightingale (1859) and contemporary scholars like McEwen and Wills (2019). It emphasizes the significance of a thorough, empathetic, and knowledgeable approach to healthcare. As I progress in my professional position, I maintain a resolute dedication to advancing public health, fostering inclusivity by acknowledging many perspectives and championing the establishment of a fair and just healthcare system.

 

References

Dossey, B. M., & Keegan, L. (2016). Holistic nursing: A handbook for practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Epstein, R. M., & Street, R. L. (2011). The values and value of patient-centered care. Annals of Family Medicine, 9(2), 100-103.

The Lancet Commission. (2010). Health professionals for a new century: Transforming education to strengthen health systems in an interdependent world. The Lancet, 376(9756), 1923-1958.

McEwen, M., & Wills, E. (2019). Theoretical basis for nursing (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health.

4. Working in a psychiatric inpatient unit with a functioning and effective collaborative care team, my philosophy of nursing is Collaborative care/ interprofessional collaboration.

A growing body of literature recommends strategies to improve collaboration, communication, and respect among healthcare professionals. (White et al., 2019).    

Interprofessional collaboration “A partnership between various health experts to offer patients, families, and carers high-quality treatment. It makes use of the team members’ individual and combined abilities and expertise, enhancing their ability to work more efficiently and provide high-quality treatment. It calls for accountability, assertiveness, cooperation, coordination, mutual respect and trust between healthcare workers, as well as responsibility. (Ansa, et al., 2020, p.324).

All my adult life, there has never been a time when I have not felt the desire to help others suffering, which motivated me to become a nurse. I feel fulfilled with every single act of service to others. Psychiatric nursing is crucial, and our culture is only now beginning to comprehend the profound influence mental health and wellness have on all aspects of our lives.  

When presented with a difficult work situation, my personal nursing philosophy keeps me motivated. When you have a private nursing philosophy, you are better equipped to answer questions about your patient care than nurses without one. For safe and effective patient care, teamwork is imperative. If the work environment is positive, staff members thrive, and patient care is optimal.

Future nursing leaders and beginning nurse scientists are familiar with the philosophical underpinnings of nursing. Thoughts on the scientific method and research approaches are still influenced by the heritage of philosophical positivism, it is time to advance in order to meet the problems of the complex and unstable health care environment. (Mcewen & Wills, 2019).

In conclusion, my nursing philosophy centers on providing patient-centered, research-based, interdisciplinary care that considers the physical, emotional, and spiritual requirements of each individual. I believe my knowledge will grow and my horizons will be expanded as a result of my DNP/ doctoral studies and as a Walden DNP, I hope to positively impact the lives of my patients by upholding these beliefs and consistently pursuing greatness.

 

References

McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2019). Theoretical basis for nursing (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.  

Walden University. (2021). 
DNP glossaryLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.Links to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard. 
https://waldenu.instructure.com

White, K. M., Dudley-Brown, S., & Terhaar, M. F. (Eds.). (2019). Translation of evidence into nursing and healthcare. (3rd ed.). Springer.