This paper examines multiple definitions of nursing and uses them as a foundation for developing a personal nursing philosophy. The author analyzes the Royal College of Nursing's definition, the South Carolina Nurse Practice Act, and an employer's institutional philosophy, comparing each against a self-constructed definition emphasizing compassion, multicultural experience, and public education. The paper argues that effective nursing requires both rigorous clinical judgment and deep empathy, and concludes by articulating a personal code of ethics grounded in the belief that caring and compassion are the core of the nursing profession.
Nurses specialize in various areas, hail from diverse backgrounds, and work in a wide range of settings. A definition of nursing that encompasses all these factors must be as multifaceted and meaningful as the profession itself. Official definitions of nursing can aid in clarifying career goals and in shaping a personal vision. Through textbook definitions that concretely define the profession, I have solidified my decision to pursue nursing as a career.
I was drawn to the following definition because it succinctly reflects many of the facets of my future career: "Nursing is the use of clinical judgment in the provision of care to enable people to improve, maintain, or recover health, to cope with health problems, and to achieve the best possible quality of life, whatever their disease or disability, until death."
First, this definition addresses the "use of clinical judgment." Clinical judgment is what distinguishes nurses from other caregivers; nurses are highly trained and specialized, and their knowledge is based on a solid foundation of science and reason. Next, nurses provide "care to enable people to improve, maintain, or recover health, to cope with health problems." This part of the definition summarizes the core concepts of nursing: helping people at the very least manage the symptoms of an illness. However, nurses can also be instrumental in offering aid and advice regarding the prevention of illness and disease and the maintenance of good health. The final part of this Royal College of Nursing definition addresses the achievement of "the best quality of life, whatever their disease or disability, until death." Good quality of life is an essential goal of the nursing profession, as is the very difficult task of caring for those with debilitating or terminal illnesses.
My personal definition of nursing builds upon the Royal College of Nursing definition. I believe that nursing is the use of all one's knowledge and experiences to compassionately care for all people, to improve their overall health, and to educate the public.
My inclusion of "all one's knowledge and experiences" means that nursing entails going beyond clinical knowledge. Nurses must also depend on and trust their personal sources of wisdom, such as that which comes from caring for a loved one with illness or dealing with death. Multicultural experiences impact one's ability to nurse as well, which is why personal experiences are as important to the profession as clinical knowledge. My personal definition of nursing has evolved over time to incorporate encounters with people from diverse ethnic and social backgrounds.
Next, I included the word "compassion" in my personal definition of nursing because a compassionate state of mind allows the professional to set aside personal prejudices and biases. Moreover, compassion enables us to care for "all people," regardless of financial situations or personal backgrounds. Finally, in addition to improving people's overall health, I believe one dimension of nursing involves educating the public. As new diseases and cures are discovered, nurses need to keep abreast of and embrace all changes to their profession and be willing to offer up-to-date and relevant advice to the patients in their care.
"Practical and legal dimensions of nursing practice"
"Synthesizing definitions into a personal philosophy"
I will continue to build upon both my personal philosophy and the official philosophy of my employer, both of which reflect the broad implications of the nursing profession. Through this examination of various definitions and theories of nursing, I can better formulate my personal code of ethics and value systems that will help me be the best nurse possible. I intend to continually offer optimal care for those who need it — care that is rooted in clinical wisdom and judgment, but which is never devoid of compassion.
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