by Tiffany Adams

Created on: March 23, 2010

My nursing philosophy is this:  It is a privilege to care for others in failing health and support them in good health.  I must work every day with honesty, integrity, and compassion towards all I encounter using myself and the gifts that I possess.   This extends to my fellow nurses, students, interdisciplinary team members, and even administrators. One of the great joys of my career has been what I have been  able to glean  from other nursing professionals and other professions to use in my nursing practice.  The focus of nursing is the community;  whether it is hospital, mental health center, detox, or  public schools.

I live my philosophy by remembering this for my patients: I must meet them wherever they are.  This does not only mean at the corner store where I would invariably find one of my favorite schizophrenics,  but  “wherever they are” emotionally, educationally,  and socially.  It does not matter what I know if I cannot communicate it to them.  It does not matter how great my skills are, if they do not trust me.  My gestures and words  must convey  respect and  compassion.

I value honest communication, because when we are authentic and humble, it is only then  that we can connect with what we share in common.  I find dishonesty easy to detect and uninteresting, it closes down  communication.    I value empathy.  The ability to at least attempt to see anothers point of view, or even feel  one one-thousandth of what they are feeling is an imperative for nurses. To lack empathy is to lack the best barometer of how to treat an individual.  Honesty and empathy are the basis for all of my values and are the foundation of my nursing philosophy.

When I find myself dealing with difficult families,  I remind myself that I have no idea what actually happened before the events that brought me into their lives. I do not know what it was like for the adult children of the now reformed alcoholic patient with  terminal liver failure who  now desperately wants their love. They may be passive at best  and  I cannot judge;  I can only imagine.  It is my privilege to be there in this time of the most intimate sadness and grief. Pleasant situations are also welcome, and I cannot say enough for those patients and their families who get on board and become active in their care expressing appreciation for everything I do along the way.

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