Core Beliefs
Belief Statement
I believe that in order to be a successful nurse, you must demonstrate empathy, respect, integrity and compassion. It is important to act honestly and in the best interests of your patients. Additionally, nurses must respect those around them regardless of any differences. It is important to show compassion and empathy to each and every patient, staff member or family member in the hospital. I hope to embody these values in my practice, as I believe they will help me to become the best nurse I can be.
EMPATHY
Empathy is an important value for me in both my personal and professional life, as it helps me foster meaningful social connections. Whether I am connecting with a friend or a patient, empathy will allow me to sympathize with their situation and ensure that they feel seen. To me, empathy encompasses the ability to connect with and recognize the feelings of those around you. It requires observational skills, patience and a desire to support those around you. Empathy is particularly important in the field of nursing, as it will help foster clear and honest communication with patients. It may also help patients feel more comfortable in your presence, leading them to share more details about their thoughts and feelings.
Respect
Respect is vital in several aspects of nursing. Nurses must respect their peers, other cultures, different forms of knowledge, as well as a patient’s autonomy. Regardless of whether you agree with a patient, they have the right to make decisions for themselves as stated in the CNA Code of Ethics (2017). Respect is also a key part of two of the CNO’s Code of Conduct Principles (2024). I believe that as a student nurse, respecting both the clients and the space where I work will lead to productive therapeutic relationships and effective care. Respect can also contribute to appropriate and clear communication, which is an important part of a nurses role. I also value respect in my personal life, as it is the foundation of my relationships with both friends and family. I show respect and acceptance to those around me, hoping for the same in return.
Integrity
Integrity is fundamental to the nursing practice, as it involves being both honest and accountable. Integrity can involve advocating for your patient, owning up to a mistake, voicing any ethical concerns or dilemmas, and providing appropriate patient care. Nurses are held to high standards and expected to demonstrate the skills and competencies included in their scope of practice. While mistakes should be avoided at all costs, it’s important that nurses feel empowered to speak up when care doesn’t go according to plan. Nurses may also demonstrate integrity by voicing any instances of moral conflict, as this will ensure that patient care is not compromised. I currently demonstrate integrity by adhering to Trent’s Undergraduate Academic Integrity Policy and the TFSON Student Handbook which outlines the expected conduct of nursing students.
Compassion
I believe that as a nurse, it’s important to show compassion towards your patients and their situations. Simply being kind to those around you can often go a long way. Compassion is a great tool to foster connection and discussion with your patients or coworkers, and is reflected in the CNA Code of Ethics (2017). For some patients, their nurse may be the only familiar face they see throughout their day. Therefore, it is especially important to show compassion towards patients that are without a support system, as they have no one to help them cope with their situation or diagnosis. It can be extremely challenging to be in a hospital alone. Compassion can also be reflected in a nurse’s care, by creating care plans tailored to a patient’s specific goals, as well as being attentive and kind to all patients. Outside of nursing, I strive to show compassion to everyone around me as you never know their situation.
References:
Canadian Nurses Association. (2017). Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses. https://cna.informz.ca/cna/data/images/Code_of_Ethics_2017_Edition_Secure_Interactive.pdf
College of Nurses of Ontario. (2024). Code of Conduct. https://cno.org/Assets/CNO/Documents/Standard-and-Learning/Practice-Standards/49040_code-of-conduct.pdf
Trent University. (2024). Trent/Fleming School of Nursing Student Handbook. https://www.trentu.ca/nursing/sites/trentu.ca.nursing/files/documents/Student%20Handbook%202024-2025%20Final.pdf
Trent University. (2023). Undergraduate Academic Integrity Policy. https://www.trentu.ca/vpacademic/sites/trentu.ca.vpacademic/files/documents/UndergraduateAcademicIntegrityPolicy(2023-05-16).pdf