Philosophy of Nursing

In its most basic form, nursing is about setting oneself aside to care for another. Nursing
is a profession and a job that people who are nurses do, which are two very different things. In
the sense of being a professional we never set our nursing aside. It follows us into the grocery
store, on airplanes, at family gatherings, and as we quietly listen to strangers tell us stories. Most
of our nursing tasks are done at our place of employment, but even there we do not completely
shed our nursing identity as we leave to go home.

I believe that every person deserves access to care and caring professionals regardless of
their race, creed, or color. Access to care should not be regarded as a privilege. It is a human
right. I value compassion and respect for all, ethical behavior and integrity, and the recognition
of people holistically not just as represented by their disease process. I believe nurses have a
responsibility to recognize when a patient needs education versus when they need to be seen,
heard, and encouraged and to navigate that responsibility with kindness and professionalism.