Dreamer  April 28, 2007, 3:06 PM

Today, on my birthday, I am sitting here thinking and writing  my personal philosophy of nursing.
As my understanding, the essential roles of nursing, ADN nursing role is assist patients for their wellness in a professional manner. And health  in the medical field, is commonly defined as an organism’s ability to efficiently respond to challenges (stressors) and effectively restore and sustain a "state of balance," known as homeostasis; and wellness is generally used to mean a healthy balance of the mind-body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. Illness can be defined as a state of poor health.
My beliefs concerning personal responsibility are being responsible to your decisions, actions and results of what you did and are still doing. And my beliefs concerning ethical decision making is whatever is good for others and not harm to self or good for self and no harm to others.
What is my philosophy of living? As one who grown up in China mainland, I believe human live to serve people and also be served by people. We serve each other. I also believe that as a server, I need to do the best service I can provide; and as a service receiver, I do not expect too much. Giving and receiving does not have to be equal. My philosophy of living is giving more and expecting less or no returning. Respect and be friendly with others. Never seek problems and never be aggressive to others. Avoid conflicts whenever possible and solve conflicts with a cooperative manner. I knew this probably is not applicable to American culture, but it is what I got from my education and experiences in China from elementary through college and my professional life as a healthcare provider.
In China, there is a famous three character primer which reflect Chinese philosophy of living. It taught us to respect teachers and parents; think others first instead ourselves and do not count what ourselves may loose. This over 2000 years old primer is still very popular in China and is used as a primary principle for teaching children how to live. It influences my life and beliefs. It becomes my personal philosophy of living. It also influence my aspects of professional life as a healthcare provider in China and as a nursing student in America.
As a student nurses, I believe that humans are unique beings with biological, psychological, sociological, cultural and spiritual dimensions. These dimensions are in constant interaction and inseparable. I also believe that each human exists on a health-illness continuum that may move from high level wellness to severe illness and death. Humans are in a constant state of adjustment to internal and external environmental stressors as they strive to meet their needs. And our profession as a nurse ought to do what we can to help to meet their needs of wellness in healthcare system. We must use our minds and hearts, as well as our hands and senses to become successful professional nurses in today's challenging health care world.
In my practice, I certainly should aware the physiological and psychological limitations of myself and seek help whenever the conflicts of self limitation with patient’s need come to be a problem. I also will be awareness of my personal value may be different with patients, I would not let the difference effect my practice and remain nonjudgmental  during my practice.
My philosophy as a professional nurse is:
1) For my customer:  I will think patient’s physiologic and psychological needs and do my best to provide care to meet their needs. Provide patient centered care and assist patients to attain their maximal state of wellness on the health-illness continuum, including the support of a peaceful and dignified death.
2) For other professional providers: Respect others as human beings, healthcare professionals and friends. Be sincere and professional when communicate with them about the care and any problem it may raise. Avoid conflicts whenever possible and solve the conflicts with a cooperative manner when it arises. Help them in a caring and sincere manner whenever they need and be nonjudgmental for their personal beliefs. Trying to be socialized with them.
3) For my profession: I believe that nursing is an evidenced-based science that promotes, maintains and, when possible, restores health. As a professional nurse, timely update my knowledge is an important part of my life. In order to serve my customer the best, I will read and study the nurse researches to keep my knowledge updated.
4) For myself: I certainly apply my personal philosophy with my daily life. Be kind with people, do my best to help people and do not expect any from others. If there is any disagreement with others, try to solve it with a cooperative manner and avoid big conflict if it is not big deal. Make decisions based on not harm other’s benefits and awareness of self comfortable level. In one word: Always remember to provide my best to others.