An Overview of my Values

In my nursing classes at Seneca College, my instructor Prof. Michelle Pang often says, “Values are like a compass.” To me, this means that values serve as a guiding force, helping us navigate difficult decisions and stay grounded, especially in challenging, difficult or uncertain times. As a Christian raised in a close-knit family of nine in Bamenda, Cameroon, my personal values are deeply rooted in my faith and experiences. They act as a moral compass, shaping how I approach life and my emerging role as a nurse. The four core values that define me—Determination, Empathy, Respect, and Integrity—reflect my beliefs and guide my actions as I begin my journey in this profession.

Developing my personal values for this professional portfolio has been a reflective journey, clarifying the principles that define me as a year one nursing student at Seneca College. Inspired by my life lessons, studies and mentors, I’ve identified four core values that guide my path and my nursing career. These values emerged from my life in Cameroon, my Christian faith, and a transformative 2008 experience when a nurse’s compassionate intervention during my sister’s PID surgery reshaped my family’s trust in healthcare.

This exploration links my past to my present studies and future practice, fulfilling the portfolio’s aim to connect program elements. My values anchor my identity, guiding tough decisions and evolving as I collect experiences. This process has deepened my purpose: to impact lives as that nurse did, with a compass of values leading the way.

Determination

Determination is the unwavering resolve to push forward, even in the face of obstacles. Growing up in a region where healthcare was often scarce, I saw how determination could mean the difference between hope and despair—whether it was a family member seeking treatment or a community rallying to support one another.

In nursing, this value drives me to persevere through challenges, whether mastering complex concepts in my BSN111 course or advocating for a patient’s needs. It aligns with my commitment to lifelong learning, a principle emphasized by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), ensuring I grow into a competent and resilient nurse.

Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, a value that stems from my Christian belief in loving and serving one’s neighbor. Having witnessed loved ones suffer due to inadequate healthcare in Cameroon, I know the power of feeling seen and heard in moments of vulnerability.

As a nurse, empathy allows me to connect with patients on a human level, offering comfort alongside clinical care. This value echoes Watson’s Theory of Human Caring (Watson, 2008), which highlights the importance of compassionate presence in healing—a principle I intend to carry into every patient interaction.

Respect

Respect is the recognition of every individual’s inherent worth and autonomy, a value shaped by both my faith and my cultural upbringing. In Bamenda, I learned that dignity is universal, yet it was often stripped away by systemic healthcare barriers. I believe every person—regardless of their background, beliefs, or circumstances—deserves care that honors their identity and choices.

In nursing, respect means listening to patients, valuing their input, and creating a trusting environment. This value underpins my philosophy of patient-centered care and aligns with the CNO’s emphasis on ethical practice.

Integrity

Integrity is the commitment to honesty, accountability, and doing what is right, even when no one is watching. As a Christian, I see integrity as a reflection of my moral duty to live authentically and uphold trust. In nursing, this value ensures that I act ethically, follow evidence-based practices, and take responsibility for my actions.

Whether documenting care accurately or advocating for a patient’s best interest, integrity keeps me aligned with the professional standards I’m learning at Seneca College. It’s the foundation of the trust patients place in me, a trust I hold sacred as I enter this field.

I believe nursing is a calling that blends compassion and skill to empower people, a belief shaped by my life’s journey from Bamenda, Cameroon, to Seneca College in Canada. Growing up in a family of nine, I saw healthcare’s highs and lows, but a pivotal moment in 2008—when a nurse’s kindness during my sister’s PID surgery turned my family’s fear into trust—showed me nursing’s true power. It’s not just about fixing bodies; it’s about lifting spirits and honoring dignity. That experience, paired with my path through nursing in Cameroon and tech in Canada, drives my conviction: every person deserves care that respects their story and choices, no matter where they’re from.

My belief rests on four values that guide me like a compass: Determination, Empathy, Respect, and Integrity. I believe nurses must keep learning and pushing forward—something I’ve lived moving from a year two nursing student in Bamenda to a Technology Project Coordinator at Plan Group, while being a full-time nursing student. Empathy means feeling with people, a value rooted in my faith and seeing a lonely patient in Cameroon with money but no visitors. Respect is about giving everyone a voice, like that nurse did for my sister, while Integrity keeps me honest and trustworthy, whether managing teams or caring for patients.

I believe nursing thrives when we build trust and equity, a lesson from Canada’s wider scope compared to Cameroon’s focus on tasks. My saying, “No man is an island,” captures this—relationships matter more than anything, and nurses weave those bonds. This belief grows with me at Seneca, where I’m learning to advocate and care holistically. Nursing is my privilege to serve, my duty to empower, and my promise to make a difference. It’s a career I’m building step by step, fueled by my past and aimed at a future where I can change lives, just like that nurse did for my family.

Beliefs, Assumptions, and Values Related to Nursing

My beliefs, assumptions, and values (BAVs) form the bedrock of my nursing identity, shaped by a blend of personal experiences and professional transitions. These elements guide my approach as I embark on this career at Seneca College, reflecting my past in Cameroon and my present in Canada.

Beliefs

I believe nursing is a calling that integrates compassion and expertise to empower individuals holistically. This belief crystallized in 2008 when a nurse’s compassionate intervention during my sister’s PID surgery turned my family’s skepticism into trust, revealing nursing’s power to heal beyond the physical. I also believe nurses are advocates for equity and dignity, a conviction deepened by observing healthcare disparities in Bamenda and Canada’s broader scope of practice. Finally, I hold that relationships are central to nursing—“no man is an island”—a truth that underscores my commitment to fostering trust and support.

Assumptions

Initially, I assumed nursing was primarily technical—focused on tasks like administering medications and monitoring vitals—based on my early training in Cameroon. However, my experiences challenged this, leading me to assume now that nursing requires emotional intelligence and adaptability to meet diverse needs. I also assume that everyone has the capacity for resilience, an assumption rooted in seeing patients and families persevere despite limited resources back home.

Values

My core values—Determination, Empathy, Respect, and Integrity—anchor my nursing practice. Determination drives my pursuit of knowledge and growth, reflecting my resolve to overcome obstacles. Empathy compels me to understand and comfort others, inspired by my Christian faith and personal losses. Respect ensures I honor each person’s autonomy and dignity, while Integrity commits me to ethical, trustworthy care. These values, as my instructor Michelle Pang says, are my compass, guiding me through challenges.

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