My Philosophy of Nursing 

My philosophy of nursing is deeply intertwined with the four concepts of the nursing metaparadigm: Nursing, Person, Environment, and Health. 

I define Nursing as the art and science of providing holistic care and/or client centered care that empowers and heals, a role that demands both technical skill and emotional connection. 

Person represents every individual as unique, with their own story, values, and right to autonomy—something I cherish given my observations of disempowerment in my community.

Environment is the space—physical, emotional, mentally and cultural—in which care occurs, and I believe it must be one of safety and trust to foster healing. 

Finally, Health is a dynamic state of well-being, not just the absence of illness, and my role as a nurse is to support people in achieving it, no matter their starting point.

These definitions are informed by my beliefs, assumptions, and values (BAVs), which have been shaped by my personal history. Growing up in Bamenda, I assumed that healthcare should be a universal right, yet I saw this belief challenged by reality. My value of compassion drives me to bridge that gap, while my belief in autonomy fuels my commitment to patient-centered care. Scholarly literature, such as Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Nursing Metaparadigms: A Phenomenological study (Deliktas et al., 2019), reinforces my view that nursing must prioritize the human experience alongside clinical expertise.

In my future nursing practice, I envision applying this philosophy in moments of both challenge and connection. For example, imagine a patient from Cameroon who is hesitant to accept treatment due to cultural mistrust—a situation I can relate to from my own background. I would approach them with respect, taking time to listen to their concerns, educate them about their options, and honor their autonomy in decision-making. 

By creating a trusting environment and using evidence-based communication strategies, I would empower them to feel in control of their care. This reflects my philosophy in action: blending compassion with skills to meet the patient where they are. 

Why a Personal philosophy Matters

Having a personal philosophy of nursing is essential because it serves as my moral and ethical compass, guiding my decisions and interactions in a complex and demanding field. It keeps me grounded in my purpose—to advocate for and care for others—while pushing me to grow as a professional. As I progress through Seneca College’s nursing program, this philosophy will evolve, linking my theoretical learning, clinical experiences, and personal reflections into a cohesive identity as a nurse.

• Specific: I will improve my ability to communicate effectively with patients by practicing active listening and explaining procedures in clear, empathetic terms during my clinical practice course.

• Measurable: I will successfully engage in at least five patient interactions per clinical shift, receiving positive feedback from my preceptor on my clarity and empathy in at least 80% of these encounters.

• Achievable: With my background in technical support (e.g., explaining solutions at Teleperformance) and my value of Empathy from Cameroon experiences, I can adapt these skills to patient care with guidance from my preceptor and course resources.

• Relevant: This goal supports my philosophy of nursing as a compassionate, patient-centered calling and my belief in building trust, preparing me to advocate and connect with patients as I did for families in Bamenda.

• Time-bound: I will achieve this by the end of my clinical practice course , completing approximately 10 shifts over the semester.

• Specific: I will develop proficiency in administering medications safely and accurately during my upcoming clinical practice course, ensuring correct dosage, route, and patient verification.

• Measurable: I will successfully administer medications in at least 5 supervised patient interactions, with the aim of achieving a competency rating of “satisfactory” or higher from my preceptor on my final evaluation.

• Achievable: Leveraging my prior experience administering medications at the Regional Hospital of Bamenda and my Determination to excel, I can master this skill with practice, preceptor feedback, and my course structured clinical training.

• Relevant: This goal aligns with my value of Integrity, ensuring safe, ethical care, and supports my belief that nursing requires precise skills to build patient trust, laying a foundation for my career.

• Time-bound: I will achieve this by the end of my clinical practice course in (third semester  Fall 2025), within the semester’s timeframe.