Philosophy and Core Beliefs

Philosophy

My personal nursing philosophy is rooted from psychiatric nursing. I am committed to being a mental health advocate and offer holistic care to those in psychological need. I strongly believe that psychiatric nursing is beyond mental illness management; it is offering supportive services that are tailored to a clients emotional, mental, and physical needs. As a nurse, I try to create a healing atmosphere and empower patients to take responsibility and control of their own mental health journey. I seek to develop therapeutic relationships that allow open communication, to allow patients to share their thoughts or feelings without the fear of judgement. It is very important to me that patients remember the compassion I demonstrated when caring for them.

Core Beliefs

There are many core beliefs that I foster as a nurse and nursing student, below are a few, and what they mean to me.

1. Advocacy​

Advocating and reducing stigma is a huge part of mental health nursing. I believe in supporting my patients by making sure they receive quality care, and are treated respectfully. I also believe in empowering patients to be an active participant in their own treatment, and voice their concerns. Advocating can also include advocating for changes in the healthcare system. ​

2. Continuous Education

The field of nursing is constantly evolving and there is always new educational opportunities available. I am dedicated to staying up to date with nursing knowledge and skills to ensure that I provide safe and competent care to my patients. Whether it be obtaining a speciality certificate, my BScN, or doing training through my workplace, I will always be open to learning something new.

3. Compassionate Care

Providing compassionate nursing care is a core value of mine that I will stick to forever. By being a compassionate nurse, you are building trust, providing holistic care, and improving the patient’s healthcare experience. Active listening, being empathetic, and using simple body language are ways that nurses can be compassionate.

4. Integrity

Integrity in nursing means to be honest, accountable, and trustworthy. This is an important core belief in my nursing practice and involves working through difficult situations with patients, such as end of life care. To foster integrity is to own your mistakes, respect confidential information, and consult ethics when necessary in a patient case.