Philosophies of Nursing Practice

The evolving field of nursing combines science with care in order to support healing and overall well-being. As I begin my journey to becoming a nurse prepared for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), it is important that I think about the personal philosophy that will guide my advanced practice. I have come to this point in life shaped by my work experiences, my clinical knowledge, my moral values, and my dedication to social justice. It is also highly driven by my objective to deliver care that is evidence-based, person-centred, and increases outcomes; it also mitigates systemic health inequities: Philosophies of Nursing Practice.

This contemplation not only helps me decide on therapeutic actions but also supports Walden University’s goal of contributing positively to the well-being of society. In this way, the purpose of articulating this philosophy is to strengthen my identity as a nursing leader and advocate for equitable, transformative care among diverse populations and settings.

Professional Experiences

Over the past decade, I have developed a comprehensive nursing practice that spans both acute care and community health settings. I have seen a variety of patient needs and system-level disparities working in medical-surgical units and community outreach programs. What I have learned is the value of patient-centred care and interprofessional collaboration through these experiences. A particular experience in my philosophy is how I coordinated the care of an older, disabled patient with no family around.

We collaborated with social workers and home care nurses to allow the patient to be safely discharged and recover. In this case, the nurse’s role as coordinator and advocate hit home my belief about holistic, team-based care. According to McEwen and Wills (2019), the evolution of nursing knowledge underscores the importance of integrating philosophical reasoning with collaborative practice to address the multifactorial needs of patients in increasingly complex healthcare environments.

Areas of Interest and Expertise

My clinical interests centre on chronic disease management, health education, and population health. I am particularly drawn to managing diabetes and hypertension in underserved communities, where social barriers often impede care. I have gained expertise in culturally competent communication, patient teaching, and program development.

For example, I helped implement a community-based health fair that provided blood pressure and glucose screenings, which identified numerous at-risk individuals and connected them to long-term care. This initiative affirmed my passion for nursing, which transcends the bedside and involves community engagement, prevention, and empowerment.

Personal Beliefs About Nursing Practice

Nursing is, to me, both a science and a deeply humanistic endeavour. I believe effective nursing practice requires intellectual rigour, moral courage, and compassionate presence. Sharifi‐Heris and Bender (2023) describe nursing as a discipline grounded in philosophical thinking, which I interpret as a continual reflection on what constitutes good care.

I believe that every patient encounter is an opportunity to affirm dignity, promote healing, and reduce suffering. Watson’s Theory of Human Caring resonates with me because it emphasizes the nurse-patient relationship as central to healing. I agree with this philosophy because nurses help patients, solicit change and stand up for others.

Goals and Social Change Alignment

With the pursuit of the DNP degree, I am determined to increase my contribution in the area of impact beyond the clinical roles as I affect policy and healthcare equity. In line with Walden University’s positive social change mission, I want to create programs that address the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), including the ability to get nutritious food, to get around and to be health literate.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) stress these social factors have a large impact on health outcomes. I would like to be instrumental in closing care gaps, especially on the fringe of care where marginalized groups are impacted the most. I will also continue to advocate for policy that funds preventive care and care for the public.

In addition, I want to broaden my comprehension of global health tendencies and disparities by working with open well-being associations. Nikpour et al. (2022) see receptive authority as an important apparatus to establish a generalizing development. I aspire to implement this by creating inclusive, equitable healthcare arenas and elevating the voices of the underserved.

Conclusion

Compassion, social responsibility and the search for equity are the foundations of my personal philosophy of nursing practice. It is informed by my theoretical understanding, clinical experiences and desire to trigger, lead and transform the change. With my growth into a DNP-prepared role, I vow to use my knowledge and voice to get us closer to supporting individuals and communities in their care.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, January 17). Social determinants of health (SDOH). CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/about/priorities/why-is-addressing-sdoh-important.html

McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2019). Theoretical basis for nursing (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

Nikpour, J., Hickman, R. L., Clayton-Jones, D., Gonzalez-Guarda, R. M., & Broome, M. E. (2022). Inclusive leadership to guide nursing’s response to improving health equity. Nursing Outlook, 70(6), S10–S19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2022.02.006

Sharifi‐Heris, Z., & Bender, M. (2023). What constitutes philosophical activity in nursing? Toward a definition of nursing philosophy based on an interpretive synthesis of the recent literature. Nursing Inquiry, 30(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/nin.12582

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PHILOSOPHIES OF NURSING PRACTICE
Now is the time to commit to a higher level of contribution and practice as a future DNP-prepared nurse and to reflect that commitment in your personal philosophy of nursing practice.

For this first Discussion of the course, you will share your initial thoughts about your personal philosophy of nursing practice. You will draw on your professional experiences, your area(s) of interest and expertise, as well as your personal beliefs. You will also challenge yourself to expand your awareness of issues beyond your own current practice. Finally, you will consider how you will fulfill Walden’s mission to become an agent of positive social change as a future DNP-prepared nurse.