As a student nurse, I believe in incorporating accountability, competence, commitment, and respect into my nursing practice.

Accountability is a core value to me because I believe the importance of nurses is to perform a standard of practice that is ethical, legal, and professional through their actions, decisions, and behaviors. I currently work in the hospital on a surgical unit, and I strive to be responsible for my patient’s care and promote positive outcomes based on my practice; however, I do not hesitate to admit my mistakes and face challenges directly to improve my practice. Accountability to me is consistently seeking ways to improve skills and expand my knowledge. An example of taking accountability is looking at monographs when I am administering intravenous medications to ensure that they do not interact with the intravenous fluid that is currently running.

Competence in nursing relates to having the knowledge, skill, and confidence to provide safe, effective and high-quality care. This aspect of my nursing practice makes sure that patient needs are met and delivered through evidence-based care. An example is using the knowledge learned in theory class and best practice guidelines, and then applying it to real life practical scenarios, such as clinical placements. Additionally, competence involves the ability to analyze situations and make informed decision quickly and effectively. An example of this would be recognizing the signs and symptoms of sepsis and acting on it to save the patient’s life.

Commitment refers to ongoing learning such as updating skills, attending classes to further enhance my education, and attending workshops to remain proficient in different skills. This value is important to me because I want to continue to provide consistent high-quality care to my patients. Another example of commitment is including my patient within their plan of care and advocating for their best interests. In this way, I am committing myself fully to my patient as their nurse. Therefore I believe commitment means being committed to your patients, while also being committed to your professional growth and development.

Respect in nursing I view respect as not just honoring the dignity and rights of clients but as well as families, colleagues, etc. It is key to building trust and enhancing positive relationships in healthcare settings. In my practice, I value listening to patients and involving them in decision making to reflect their values and goals as well as recognizing that every client has their own unique needs, preferences, and beliefs. I value respecting my colleagues and professor’s opinions, contributions, and expertise. This fosters a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and allows for a more welcoming environment to collaborate with one another and have no fears to ask questions without feeling shamed.