Nursing Philosophy

Nursing is more than a career; it is a profession.  Anyone who decides to be a nurse goes into it not merely as a means to pay the bills, but because they truly love it. Nursing combines both scientific knowledge and patient contact. These two branches are integrated to provide a patient with the most comprehensive care possible.

While medical knowledge is very important, nursing goes beyond procedures and statistics. The nurse is there to make the patient comfortable not only physically, but also mentally. In order to provide that comfort, a nurse must be trustworthy, responsible, and compassionate. Trustworthy in that a patient can rely on the nurse to meet their needs; responsible in that the nurse recognizes his/her abilities and skills that are strong or weak; and compassionate in that the nurse considers the wants of the patient and makes the patient aware that they care.

For me, these three traits are the most important in a nurse. They are critically important while on the job, but nurses should maintain these traits in their personal lives too.