PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING GUIDELINES
A philosophy of nursing is a statement, sometimes written, that declares a nurse’s beliefs, values, and ethics regarding their care and
treatment of patients while they are in the nursing profession. Although the philosophy may seem solely academic and too cerebral to
be of any use, it is vital to approaching your profession in an appropriate manner. When you develop a personal philosophy of nursing,
it benefits your career and the lives of the people you provide care to and their families.
Requirements:
A formal paper, using APA format, describing the student’s values and philosophy with each of the items listed below addressed.
Creativity and reflection in presentation of ideas is encouraged. No abstract is needed. Heading and level headers are required as per
APA guidelines. The paper should be 3-4 pages, double spaced in length.
Items to be addressed in the paper:
1. Compare and contrast: ANA’s, Florence Nightingale’s and a selected theorist of your choice definitions of nursing along with
Plaza College’s Nursing School Philosophy. How do these definitions compare/contrast to your definition of nursing? What
is your definition of nursing? Has your definition evolved and how?
2. Define the current state/condition of nursing: For example, as it relates to politics, image, professional standards and the
future of nursing. Adding some workplace issues, along with ethical and legal issues that you have observed in your
preceptorship would enhance your paper.
3. Finally, what is your philosophy of nursing and how is it integrated with Plaza college philosophy of nursing?
