This paper presents a personal philosophy of nursing practice grounded in the provision of quality, individualized, community-level care through interdisciplinary collaboration and cultural diversity. The author explains what motivated entry into the nursing profession and how that motivation shapes daily clinical decisions. The paper further examines the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) role as a vehicle for positive social change, discussing how evidence-based practice, policy innovation, and meaningful advocacy can improve healthcare outcomes. The author outlines concrete strategies for advancing diversity in the workplace and expanding access to health services within diverse communities.
This paper effectively uses first-person reflective writing anchored by peer-reviewed and institutional sources. Rather than treating personal belief and academic evidence as separate registers, the author weaves them together — stating a personal value and then immediately citing research that validates or operationalizes it. This is a hallmark of professional graduate-level reflective writing in health disciplines.
The paper opens by defining nursing philosophy with a source-supported definition, then transitions to the author's personal motivation for entering the profession. The second section articulates the core philosophy (community care, collaboration, individualized treatment). The third section applies that philosophy to diversity and advocacy goals specific to the DNP role. The final section broadens the discussion to the DNP's systemic impact as a social change agent, concluding with the author's own action commitments.
A philosophy of nursing refers to a statement that outlines a nurse's values, ethics, and beliefs, as well as their motivation for being part of the profession. Such a statement is reflective of the decisions that nurses make on a daily basis. The motivation to pursue a career in nursing stems from a desire to promote the health of people — specifically at the community level. Nursing aligns with the personal goal of bettering the wellbeing of humanity in whatever way possible. Working as a nurse reinforces that the main focus should remain on patients as well as their environment. This paper describes a personal philosophy of nursing, including the relevant area of expertise and experience, the role of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as a social change agent, and how a DNP can advocate for positive social change.
A personal nursing philosophy can be conceptualized as the provision of better health services to persons — especially at the community level — through collaboration while embracing diversity. This belief is firmly rooted in the perspective that nursing practice ought to be more than the treatment of diseases. Patients deserve quality care delivered through an individualized approach. Essentially, care should incorporate the wellbeing of the whole patient, not merely a single health concern.
Experience also demonstrates that working with other members of staff across an organization is essential to improving patient outcomes. Collaborating with colleagues from other disciplines helps ensure that patients receive the best possible care. As O'Daniel and Rosenstein (2008) point out, team collaboration ensures that relevant information is accurately communicated — effectively ensuring that patients receive quality care and, among other things, resulting in a reduction of errors.
O'Daniel, M., & Rosenstein, A. H. (2008). Professional communication and team collaboration. In R. G. Hughes (Ed.), Patient safety and quality: An evidence-based handbook for nurses. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2637/
Tenhunen, M. L., Sarah, H., Buchko, B. L., & Frumenti, J. (2020). The expert role of the DNP prepared nurse impacting healthcare systems: Bench to bedside, classroom to boardroom.
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