What is my philosophy of nursing?

My philosophy of nursing is deeply tied to my philosophy of life. My personal belief is

that we all have something we are meant to contribute no matter what community or
communities we are part of; simply put, I think that each person has a purpose. But my
philosophy of life, and having purpose, lead me to my philosophy of nursing. I believe nursing is
one of the most special and powerful opportunities that allows us to interact with others. For me,
being a nurse is not just about what you are able to do for others, but acknowledging and
respecting what they have done for you, or taught you. As a nurse, you might have patients and
families that have a refreshingly positive outlook on life, despite the circumstances. You might
have a patient that tests how much compassion you truly have. You might care for a patient that
wants to tell you stories and share their greatest personal life lessons. My philosophy is that as a
nurse, you must be a listener, but not just for the day or shift. You should listen closely to what
other people and their perspectives offer—everyone has something to share, and with that,
everyone has something to teach another.
Being a nurse of course comes with more challenges, learning curves and nuances than
some other professions could ever imagine, but being a nurse (in my belief) is one of the most
rewarding ways to make a contribution in this world. It is because of all that I have previously
expressed and stated about my beliefs, that I believe nursing exceeds a career. Whether
temporary or practiced life-long, being a nurse is a privilege, and my philosophy is that it’s
crucial for nurses to try to remember that with each and every patient encounter. I believe, and
hope that if nurses individually, and collectively, do their best to approach patient care this way,
the best interactions and care may then be fostered. This is an outstanding and difficult mindset
to maintain every minute of every shift, but I think that especially for myself and my nursing
journey, this is a principle I want be guided by as much as possible.
In all, I believe that for myself and anyone else who has viewed nursing as their purpose
in life, cherish that. Be proud of the ways that you can impact others, be grateful the opportunity
to do so. If nursing is your purpose, commit to taking care of yourself, because others will
always need to be cared for, and providing that is more special than could every be described by
a single word.