Tag: career change

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You Better Get One! A Nursing Philosophy.

Do you have a nursing philosophy? 

“A nursing philosophy is a mission statement that outlines a nurse’s values, beliefs, personal and professional ethics as they relate to the nursing profession and their motivation for being a nurse”. -Indeed.com 

As a nurse educator, I developed a teaching philosophy. Check it out below and I encourage you to develop your own nursing philosophy to help motivate you on your nursing journey. Enjoy! 

My Nursing Philosophy

I am very passionate about the nursing profession and my role as a nurse. I desire to teach future nurses the same values, beliefs, and dedication I have toward the nursing profession. What I believe makes a great nurse educator is their qualities, teaching strategies, and recognition of challenges.

I believe a nurse educator’s character should possess an attitude of integrity, accountability, respect, commitment, caring, managing impulsivity, and listening with understanding and empathy. Doing so, demonstrates the respect for thyself, the profession of nursing, and the public.

I believe a nurse educator’s skills and competency are important, adding the ability to combine clinical expertise with a formal background in teaching for students to be successful. Nurse educators should aim to become certified to rid the question of competency, but display competency in their area of practice.

I believe that successful teaching consists of the ability to use a variety of teaching strategies that promote a learner-centered environment. I believe that students should understand that they are accountable for their learning which will affect the lives of others. I want to do so in a manner that is motivating and facilitates learning.  I believe that nurse educators must assess how students learn best and be adaptable, approachable, and responsive to students.

I believe that successful teaching consists of recognition of challenges. There are constant changes within the nursing profession and health care system. We must be aware of external issues like health care reform, changing demographics, technology, and the environment in which nurses’ practice. We must develop a curriculum that remains challenging while also providing opportunities for diverse students to participate in. 

References

What Is a Nursing Philosophy? (With Tips and Examples) | Indeed.com

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To be or not to be: a Nurse.

Adapted from Google Images

“To be or not to be, that is the question.”

-William Shakespeare

Nursing has so many advantages and challenges wrapped up in the same package.

For those of you interested in nursing consider the following-

Pros

Knowledge.

You will learn a wealth of information about the body and disease processes. How to perform skills, use equipment, and administer medications needed to care for patients.

Opportunity.

Becoming a nurse allows you to advance into other areas of the healthcare system: administration, academia, management, outpatient care, inpatient care, and advanced nurse practitioner/anesthetist/educator to name a few.

Flexibility.

Most bedside nurses work 3 days a week(12 hr. shifts) and pick up prn (as needed) positions at other hospitals/organizations. OR travel for bonuses with paid housing/food.

Pay.

Nursing is not just a job, and there is a lot of compassion involved. However, along with the opportunities mentioned above, nurses do make decent money. Overtime pay and additional pay per hour for short staffed shifts in the hospital setting makes some of the cons listed below a little bearable.

Cons

Workload.

Although a typical work week may consist of only 3 days a week, 12 hours is a long time with a high patient to nurse ratio.

Stress.

Nursing consists of long hours of lifting, pulling, bending, walking, continuous critical thinking, and sometimes no lunch. It can be hard on one’s body and mind. Especially when dealing with difficult patients/families/colleagues.

Work holidays.

Illness does not take a break. Nurses must staff the hospital all year round. You may have to rotate major holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving with your colleagues.

Exposure.

You will be exposed to germs. Especially now with COVID19, you may be exposed to other airborne illness like flu or tuberculosis as well.

These are just a few things to think about when considering if nursing is for you.

Feel free to comment and ask questions below.

Sincerely,

Shenell