My Values

Empathy defines nursing—it’s the genuine understanding and sharing of others’ feelings, essential for patient-centered care. Nurses connect emotionally with patients, providing care that goes beyond physical needs; empathy is the heart of nursing.

By fostering trust and openness, empathy improves patient outcomes. In the ICU, where stress and uncertainty are common, it calms fears, offers emotional support, and brings hope during challenging times.

Empathy helps nurses anticipate patient needs and advocate effectively. Simple acts like listening to a patient’s fears or reassuring a worried family member can have a profound impact on everyone involved.

It also enhances teamwork, promoting understanding and collaboration in high-pressure environments. Empathy creates a culture of respect and support, essential for delivering high-quality care.

For me, empathy is more than a skill—it’s a mindset. It reminds me to approach every situation with kindness and an open heart. Whether supporting patients or collaborating with colleagues, empathy ensures I am present, listening, and respecting others’ experiences.

As I continue my nursing journey, I strive to cultivate empathy, knowing it enriches me as well. It deepens my understanding of humanity, strengthens my resilience, and reminds me of the privilege of caring for others. Empathy isn’t just about being a nurse—it’s about being human.

Accountability, a core value in the CNA Code of Ethics (2017a), is a principle I deeply identify with as a future nurse. It means taking responsibility for my actions and professional conduct. Aspiring to work in the ICU, I see accountability as essential for delivering safe and ethical patient care, fostering professionalism, trust among healthcare teams, and strong nurse-patient relationships.

According to the CNA, professional accountability involves upholding standards, complying with laws, and maintaining competence. It also includes sharing knowledge with colleagues and advocating for equitable healthcare services, including mental health care. These principles capture both the professional and personal sides of nursing for me, highlighting accountability’s role in continuous growth and ethical practice.

In the ICU’s high-stakes environment, accountability ensures I own my actions, knowing patient outcomes depend on swift, accurate judgment. Whether following evidence-based practices, reporting errors, or seeking guidance, accountability drives me to act with integrity and uphold the highest care standards. It also influences my personal life, fostering reliability, transparency, and self-improvement.

By embracing accountability, I aim to uphold nursing’s dignity and trustworthiness, aligning my practice with professional and ethical standards. This value guides my professional journey and personal growth, making it integral to who I am and aspire to be as a nurse.

Collaboration is the foundation of effective healthcare, ensuring we work together for the best patient outcomes. It emphasizes teamwork, shared decision-making, and collective accountability. Involving not just other professionals but also patients and their families ensures their voices are heard and needs prioritized.

As a nursing student and future nurse, I see how vital collaboration is in providing comprehensive, person-centered care. By pooling knowledge and skills, the healthcare team addresses patient needs more effectively. Open communication fosters consistency as we work toward the shared goal of patient well-being.

For me, collaboration offers growth both professionally and personally. I’ll rely on colleagues’ experience to guide my practice and enhance my clinical skills. Engaging in interdisciplinary discussions will help me build the confidence needed to provide high-quality care.

Including patients and families in care decisions tailors treatment to their unique preferences, improving satisfaction and outcomes. In my experiences, collaboration enhances communication and strengthens our ability to tackle challenges. It’s about creating synergy where the team achieves more than any individual could alone.

Collaboration builds a culture of trust, respect, and shared responsibility, ultimately improving patient care. As I continue my nursing journey, I’m committed to embracing collaboration as a core value, essential for providing patient-centered care and growing into a competent, compassionate professional.

Honesty is a value I deeply prioritize in my nursing career. It builds trust among nurses, patients, families, and colleagues, fostering transparency and integrity. Being honest means communicating clearly and respectfully, ensuring information is accurate and understandable—essential for empowering patients to take control of their health.

In practice, honesty involves giving patients clear, factual information about their diagnosis and treatment options. This helps them make informed decisions and fosters trust. However, honesty must be balanced with empathy, especially when delivering bad news. Being truthful while compassionate ensures patients feel supported, even when the information is hard to hear.

Honesty is also crucial within the healthcare team. Being open about one’s limitations or mistakes ensures care remains safe and effective. Acknowledging errors or seeking clarification fosters accountability and improves patient outcomes.

As a future ICU nurse, I see honesty as a guiding principle that upholds the nursing profession’s dignity, establishes trust with patients and colleagues, and ensures my practice is ethical and patient-centered. By embracing honesty, I aim to create an environment where patients feel empowered and supported, and where colleagues can rely on my integrity. This value reflects the kind of nurse I strive to be and ensures the care I provide is rooted in authenticity and compassion.