Personal Philosophy: Shaping my Nursing Practice

Part A - Personal Philosophy As I reflect on my nursing education I recognize that I have unknowingly created a set of values and beliefs for myself, that align with the vision and mission of Seattle University College of Nursing (SUCON) and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics. The aspects of my personal philosophy have been molded by my education, my interactions with patients, family members, and healthcare professionals at my clinical sites. As I transition into my role as a nurse, I will hold strong to my beliefs, as they will shape the care I provide. I believe that each patient deserves the highest quality of care, regardless of their life choices, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference and socioeconomic status. Each patient, including their family is entitled to respect and honesty, despite the circumstances. Aspects of providing the highest quality of care are safety, competence, honesty, caring and continuous learning and improvement. Concepts that have been ingrained from a young age and molded by the SUCON mission and American Nurses Association Code of Ethics ("Baccalaureate Student Nursing Handbook 2012-2013," 2015; ”Code of Ethics for Nurses," 2015).

Three at out the four said that they have a really hard time caring for these mothers, due to ethics (Four SMC RN’s personal communication, July 9, 2015). I realized in that moment that I pass no judgement onto these patients. I truly see addiction as a disease; I view it from a cellular level, rather than focusing on the individual. I began reading studies about the effects of perceived judgments of mothers. If a mother perceives that she is being judged, the amount and length of times she visits her baby in the hospital decreases. Along with many other factors, decreased visits from the mother, greatly impact mother-baby bonding, breastfeeding, and