What is a nursing philosophy? A philosophy of nursing is like a personal mission statement that encompasses your core values, principles and beliefs. Your personal philosophy can help shape your approach to patient care and patient interactions, as well as guide your career decisions.
Every nurse comes to the field with their own set of values and principles that guide their practice. Through critical self-reflection, you can develop a written nursing philosophy that describes and shapes your approach to nursing care. It’s a way to define your purpose as a nurse and how you will bring humanity to healthcare.
At Northeastern University, our Bouvé College of Health Sciences is committed to delivering healthcare education that engages the global community. Our private, nonprofit school supports innovation and teamwork, empowering students to solve complex problems in modern healthcare environments. Our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program encourages nursing students to consider developing a philosophy of nursing to guide their future practice.
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Before developing your nursing-related philosophy, look at the definition and learn why it matters for nurses. Then, start reflecting on your own philosophy of patient care and create a corresponding written statement.
What Is a Nursing Philosophy?
As a nurse, your patient care decisions will be guided by evidence-based best practices, the patient’s informed consent, and the patient’s physical, socioemotional, and cultural needs, among other factors. Within that framework, your nursing decisions and approach to patient care are also guided by your core values, principles, and mission as a healthcare professional. Your mission, principles, and core values form your philosophy of nursing.
When you commit to reflecting on your personal approach to nursing and writing it down as a personal statement, you are developing a nursing philosophy that can not only guide your decisions and actions but also be showcased on your CV. Think of a personal philosophy as your mission statement.
Your personal philosophy can also take into consideration:
- Why is nursing important to you
- What nursing means to you
- From your perspective, what makes a good nurse
- What are your nursing career goals
Why a Philosophy of Nursing Matters for Future Nurses
Why take the time to write a philosophy about nursing? There are several reasons why it matters, both for nursing students and for working nurses. A personal philosophy:
- Helps you maintain motivation during tough times
- Improves your teamwork with other healthcare providers
- Informs your career goals and decisions
- Prepares you to answer interview questions
- Shapes your approach toward patient interactions and care decisions
- Supports the process of developing an objective statement for your CV
Discover the best jobs for nursing students to gain relevant experience before graduating.
How to Write Your Own Philosophy About Nursing
When you’re ready to write your philosophy of nursing practice, it’s important not to rush the process. In fact, this is something that you may continue to think about throughout your time in nursing school. As a new nursing student, you might start the process and then add to your mission statement and reflect on your values right up to your graduation date and beyond.
After 10 years of clinical experience, your perspectives on patient care and goals as a nurse may not be the same as they were when you graduated with a BSN. A philosophy about nursing can be periodically updated as needed throughout your career.
1. Articulate Why Nursing Matters to You
The first step in developing a personal philosophy for your nursing career is to reflect upon why nursing matters to you. Another way to look at this is to consider why you decided to become a nurse.
Try to think of specific reasons. Instead of writing a vague statement, such as “I want to be able to help people in need,” you might write something like “I want to work with underserved populations who do not have easy access to primary care.” From there, you can better pinpoint why nursing matters to you.
For some nurses, the work is about forming connections in the community and developing relationships. For others, nursing matters because patients often feel overwhelmed when navigating the healthcare system, and nurses serve as their guides.
2. Identify Your Strengths as a Nurse
Next, consider your skills and traits. Nurses rely on a diverse set of soft skills, such as the following:
- Communication
- Empathy and compassion
- Integrity and ethics
- Interpersonal skills
- Kindness
- Leadership
- Organization
- Professionalism
- Time management
Write down a list of all the traits and soft skills that apply to you. Then, review your list and select two or three you believe to be the most important for your work as a nurse.
For example, if one of your top core values is social justice, you might think about ways that nurses can address healthcare disparities and advocate on behalf of patients with social determinants of health that negatively affect them.
4. Write Your Nursing Philosophy and Update It Periodically
Using all the information you’ve compiled, reflect on how you’d like to have a positive impact on others as a nurse. Then, write your mission philosophy of nursing. Try to make your statement:
- Actionable
- Brief
- Specific
Keep your personal philosophy in a prominent place, such as in your locker at work or on your refrigerator at home. Review it often and update as needed.
Examples of Philosophies for Nurses
If you feel stuck when sitting down to write your nursing philosophy, you may find it helpful to review some examples. Consider the following:
“As a nursing student, I feel called to serve as an advocate and ally to others in need. I will use my education, empathy, and compassion to empower patients to make informed decisions, encouraging them to become active participants in their own healthcare, which can lead to better outcomes.”
“Nurses have a duty to serve by providing patient-centered, safe, and high-quality care. As such, I will hold myself accountable for maintaining high standards and adhering to principles of professionalism. It is an honor and a privilege to work as a medical-surgical nurse who provides both nursing care and socioemotional support to patients recovering from illnesses and surgeries.”
“As a home health nurse, I have a significant responsibility to provide holistic care to patients who are disabled, severely ill, or experiencing age-related problems. I recognize that I am working with patients and family members during a time when they are most vulnerable, and I approach my work with the utmost respect for them.”
Prepare for Nursing Practice at Northeastern University
Northeastern University is a private school that welcomes nontraditional students, including career changers. If you’re eager to earn your nursing degree in as few as 16 months and you have prior non-nursing college education, you may be eligible to apply to our ABSN program. Our Accelerated BSN program is available in three locations: near Boston, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; and in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Through our comprehensive curriculum, you’ll learn to deliver holistic nursing care while leading with integrity and upholding the highest standards of professional ethics. Experience personalized attention with our small class sizes and get one-on-one assistance from our Academic Success Coaches.
Contact an admissions counselor today to get started. Seats are available now.
