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Nursing Philosophy: A Personal Development Journey
Kaylee J. Showen
Department of Nursing, Baker College
NUR3210-C3
Dr. Sandra Ratliff
March 23, 2025
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Nursing Philosophy: A Personal Development Journey
It is important to consider one’s personal philosophical beliefs when entering any career
field. These beliefs are what enables us to draw purpose, meaning and understanding from what
we do, and why we do it. Hood (2022, p. 74) states that nursing philosophy is the result of a
nurses intellectual and affective efforts to understand the following aspects of nursing:
Understanding relationships between humans, environment and health;
Advance in nursing as a scientific discipline;
Put value into their practice;
Wholistically approach health and well-being, considering aesthetic elements;
Define the nursing mission;
Express personal beliefs about humans, the environment, health and nursing.
In this paper I will dive into my own personal nursing philosophy by answering questions that
Hood (2022) designed to develop professional nursing philosophy in nurses.
What is the Central Reason for the Existence of Nursing?
A nurse’s purpose, is to preform healthcare services that are essential to the individual or
society in which they live (Grace et al., 2024). The registered nurse can fill many roles, but at its
core, we are meant to care for, and serve our community to the best of our ability. Nurses are
formally trained and educated; this provides us with specialized skills to better care for the
people we serve. Nurses have many responsibilities to their patients; we must be honest,
thoughtful, and competent in care, and rightly advocate for their needs (Grace et al., 2024). The
role of a nurse is to ensure that patients are getting the best care possible. Nurses are often the
main source of care administration for patients. It is essential that we are not following orders
blindly, but checking and questioning rational with critical thinking skills. It is critical for patient
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outcomes that the nurse understands why they are doing what they are doing. As nurses, we are
placed in a powerful position over the wellbeing of the people we serve. It is paramount that we
take this role with great seriousness and thoughtfulness in order to build trust with those we serve
(Grace et al, 2024).
What are the Purposes and Processes of Nursing Research
Health care relies on evidence-based research and interventions. Using current research in
practice helps care providers carry out safe and high-quality interventions to their patients (Hood,
2022, p. 253). Health care is constantly changing based off of new influxes of data and
information. For the best interest of those we care for, it is important that we question the way
we do things and test for better alternatives. The step in the nursing process listed by Hood
(2022, p. 257-262) are as follows:
1. Focus on the Clinical Problem Area- You don’t have to look far in the nursing field to
find problems, or at the very least an area that needs improvement. Once a problem
arises, narrow it down to a specific issue that can be researched and tested. Next you must
list the benefits of the investigation; why is it important? Next you want to make sure the
topic has the ability to be tested qualitatively or quantitatively. Finally, you want to
question of feasible this project is; do you have the time, and resources to preform it?
2. Preform an Initial Literature Review- Before going too far, it is important to review
literature on the subject. This will help establish major variables, and what is already
known on the subject. It will additionally, sharpen the focus of the problem.
3. Specify the Problem and the Defining Variables- Variables are characteristics, traits,
properties or conditions. There are independent and dependent variables. If the variable is
designed by the researcher to have a direct effect on another variable, it is an independent
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variable. A dependent variable is one that is observed, measured and related to or
influenced by the independent variable. Only qualitative research will measure variables.
4. Form a Hypothesis and Preform a Second Literature Review- Based off the variables
the researcher can now form a hypothesis. A second literature review will determine what
data has already been collected on this topic, what kind of testing has been done
previously, and with what results.
5. Determine a Research Design-
A descriptive design answers questions about the nature of the events being tested
An experimental design tests how manipulating one or more variables effects other
variables
A historical design describes past events
In ethnographic design, the researcher acts as a member of, or observes a certain group to
gain information
6. Develop Research Methodology- How will data be collected and what tools and
resources will be needed?
7. Ensure Ethical Processes- It is important that potential test subjects have given an
informed consent and are protected from harm. This is the time to weigh the benefits and
risks of the study and ensure there is no violation of anyone’s rights.
8. Collect Data – Time to test the hypothesis. Ensure patient privacy is respected in the data
collection process and the methods are legal and ethical.
9. Analyze and Report Findings- Preform a statistical analysis of the data collected and
summarize the results. Tables, grafts, and charts are tools that can be used to visually
display results.
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10. Make Conclusions and Outline Implications- What (if any) new information has been
obtained through this research? What (if any) are the practical applications that can be
implemented using the information gathered?
11. Disseminate Findings- Make a written report of the findings and professionally present
the data.
What is the Ultimate Goal of Professional Nursing Care?
The goal of professional nursing is creating an environment of safety and efficiency
based in current research, for optimal patient outcomes. Safety and quality should be the driving
force behind decision making for staffing, budgeting, policies/policy changes, information
technology, delegation decisions, workplace environment, and personal practices (Yoder-Wise,
2019, p. 20). All decisions made as a professional nurse should be made with excellent patient
care and outcomes in mind.
The role of professional nurse is a high calling and great responsibility. The livelihood of
the people we encounter in our workplace greatly depends on the decisions we make.
Understanding the meaning and purpose of the work we do helps drive us to preform excellent
care for the sake of that purpose. My Christian faith has played a huge role in the development of
my nursing philosophy. Christ teaches us to love selflessly, and put the needs of others above our
own. What greater purpose is there than being God’s hands and feet here on Earth? My goal in
nursing is to glorify God in all that I do and pour myself out as a living sacrifice for his purpose
on my life. This view has allowed me to give compassionate care even to difficult patients. It has
also helped me be humble and teachable, not leaning on my own understanding. The teachings of
Jesus are beautiful and applicable to every aspect of my nursing career. I feel honored to be in a
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profession where I can make a real, and lasting impact the lives of others for the Kingdom of
Heaven.
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References
Grace, P. J., Peter, E., Lachman, V. D., Johnson, N. L., Kenny, D. J., Wocial, L. D. (May, 2024).
Professional Responsibility, Nurses and Conscientious Objection: A Framework for
Ethical Evaluation. Nursing Ethics. Sage Publishing, 31(2-3), 243-255.
ISSN: 0969-7330, 1477-0989
Hood, L. J. (2022). Leddy & Peppers Professional Nursing (10th ed.) Wolters Kluwer Heal
Yoder-Wise, P. S. (2019) Leading and Managing in Nursing (7th ed.) Elsevier Inc.
