A Philosophy of Nursing Care

In my Why I Chose Nursing section I told of the bizarre reason why I initially entered this profession. However, there are more serious and worthwhile reasons why I intend to stay in it. Some of these reasons are to do with the fact that nursing is ever changing, diverse and never boring, and that there are always jobs for nurses, but as well as well as the fact that it's a good job to have, I hold certain values and beliefs about nursing and patient care which are the driving force behind my determination to become a good nurse. Idealistic perhaps, but I believe it's better to have standards which you may fall short of than not to have any standards at all. Here goes...

I believe that every human being should have the right to free healthcare.

I believe that every human being should be afforded unconditional respect and the highest possible quality of care regardless of age, status, culture, ethnicity, or personal beliefs.

I believe that patients should NOT BE BLAMED for their illness. (yes, that means smokers too!)

I believe that the way in which a person contracted an illness should not influence the quality of care they are given. (eg a patient who contracted HIV from sharing needles should be treated the same as someone who contracted HIV from a blood transfusion)

I believe that the nurse is there for the good of the patient, not the other way round

I believe that all nurses should use research-based principles in the delivery of care, and accordingly all nurses whould be kept upto date by means of continuing professional development

I believe that nurses need to be politically and economically aware - nurses should not be wasteful, and should be conscious of the need to save money in order to make the health service budget stretch that little bit further.

I believe that nurses need to have a sense of humour, and know when it is appropriate to use it.

Finally, I believe we must try and preserve our optimism and our sanity!

Well I know that's not how it really is, but that's what I feel it should be like. Feel free to blast me on any of these points if you disagree, or comment if you do agree.


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