Posted: September 4th, 2023

Personal Nursing Philosophy: Embracing Humanistic Care

Personal Nursing Philosophy

Assignment Prompt

Discuss a personal nursing philosophy. Apply what you have learned about nursing theory in this course. Identify a nursing philosophy that best matches your personal philosophy. Discuss a nursing framework or theory that fits that philosophy including how it fits your personal philosophy. Identify a possible situation in which that framework or theory would be a poor fit and discuss why it is a poor fit for that situation. While it is an important skill to be able to match a theory with a situation, it is also critical to understand when a theory or framework does not fit a situation.

Expectations

· Format: APA 7th edition, 6 references.

· Length: 5 pages, excluding title and reference pages

Personal Nursing Philosophy: Embracing Humanistic Care

Nursing is a dynamic and multifaceted profession that requires a strong foundation in theory and philosophy to guide practice. This paper presents my personal nursing philosophy, which aligns with the humanistic care philosophy. I will explore the key tenets of the humanistic care philosophy and discuss how it fits my personal philosophy. Additionally, I will examine a situation in which this philosophy may be a poor fit and discuss the reasons behind its misalignment.

Personal Nursing Philosophy: Humanistic Care

My personal nursing philosophy is rooted in the belief that every individual has inherent worth and deserves compassionate care that attends to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. I resonate with the humanistic care philosophy, which places emphasis on the uniqueness and dignity of each person. This philosophy aligns with my core values of respect, empathy, and holistic care.

The humanistic care philosophy, drawing from nursing theories such as Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and Patricia Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory, centers on building meaningful connections between nurses and patients. It recognizes the patient as a whole person, rather than reducing them to their illness or condition. Humanistic care encompasses empathy, active listening, and fostering therapeutic relationships that empower patients in their healing journey.

Nursing Framework: Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring

Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring is a nursing framework that aligns closely with my personal nursing philosophy. According to Watson, caring is the essence of nursing and involves transpersonal interactions that promote healing and wholeness. The theory emphasizes the importance of cultivating a caring environment, developing trusting relationships, and acknowledging the subjective experiences of patients.

Watson’s theory offers several components that align with my personal philosophy. First, the theory emphasizes the significance of a caring attitude and the intentionality of the nurse in creating a healing environment. It recognizes the impact of the nurse’s presence, attentiveness, and authentic caring behaviors on the patient’s well-being.

Second, Watson’s theory encourages nurses to embrace holistic care and attend to patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This aligns with my belief that every individual is a unique and complex being, and addressing their multifaceted needs is crucial for promoting health and healing.

Third, the theory highlights the significance of therapeutic relationships. By establishing trust and rapport, nurses can create a safe space for patients to express their concerns, fears, and hopes. This aspect resonates with my personal philosophy, as I believe in the power of connection and active listening to facilitate patients’ autonomy and engagement in their care.

A Poor Fit: Situation and Reasons

While the humanistic care philosophy and Watson’s Theory of Human Caring provide valuable frameworks for many nursing situations, there are instances where they may be a poor fit. One such situation is an emergency department setting with a high patient volume and limited time for individualized care.

In an emergency department, nurses often encounter urgent and critical conditions that require quick interventions and decision-making. Time constraints and the need for immediate action may hinder the nurse’s ability to establish deep connections and engage in extensive caring interactions. In such a fast-paced environment, focusing solely on humanistic care principles may lead to compromised patient outcomes and increased stress for healthcare providers.

Moreover, in emergencies, the primary goal is to stabilize and address the immediate medical needs of the patient. While empathy and respect remain essential, the urgency of the situation may require a more task-oriented approach to provide timely and efficient care. Applying the humanistic care philosophy in this context may not be feasible or practical, as the emphasis is on rapid assessment, intervention, and collaboration with the healthcare team.

Developing a personal nursing philosophy is essential for providing high-quality, patient-centered care. The humanistic care philosophy, aligned with Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, serves as a guiding framework for my practice. It emphasizes the importance of holistic care, therapeutic relationships, and creating a caring environment. However, it is crucial to recognize that no single theory or framework fits all situations. In fast-paced emergency department settings, where urgent interventions take precedence, the humanistic care philosophy may be a poor fit due to time constraints and the need for immediate action. Understanding the limitations of nursing theories and adapting our approach based on the context is crucial for providing effective and appropriate care to diverse patient populations.

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