This reflection paper explores the development of a personal nursing philosophy as the author prepares to become a nurse practitioner. Drawing on Hall (1996) and Nikfarid et al. (2018), the paper identifies cultural competence, holistic care, and lifelong learning as foundational values. It addresses the four nursing metaparadigm concepts — person, health, environment, and nursing — and argues that effective care requires listening to patients, respecting their definitions of health, and accounting for their social and cultural environments. The paper also highlights the nurse practitioner's dual role as an independent provider and collaborative member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
The paper demonstrates framework-grounded personal reflection: the author does not simply list personal values but situates them within an established theoretical structure (the nursing metaparadigm) and supports them with scholarly citations. This technique elevates a reflection paper from opinion to evidence-informed professional reasoning.
The paper is organized into two short but focused body paragraphs. The first establishes the philosophical foundation — cultural competence, holistic care, and the metaparadigm — through direct engagement with the literature. The second shifts to the practical implications of nurse practitioner independence, addressing collaboration, advocacy, and the tension between cost efficiency and personalized care. A references section closes the paper in APA format.
As I embark upon the path of becoming a nursing practitioner, I am increasingly aware of the importance of having a core philosophy to define my practice. According to Hall (1996), defining "a personal philosophy of nursing…helped create a template for my education and a framework for teaching and mentoring" (p. 326). Elements of Hall's (1996) personal philosophy included cultural competence, the desire to help people, and a commitment to constant learning — all elements of my own evolving nurse philosophy.
Above all, the core of nursing is treating the whole patient by addressing the components of person, health, environment, and nursing (Nikfarid et al., 2018). A nurse must listen to the patient's concerns and then do all she can to improve the patient's health, respecting how health is defined for that individual at their particular stage of life and wellness. It is also important to consider the patient's environment, which may include dimensions such as family support, the patient's culture, and socioeconomic or personal conditions that may make it easier or harder to pursue a state of better health.
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