Nursing Philosophy Paper

I previously wrote my personal nursing philosophy during my sophomore year of nursing school. At that time, my understanding of nursing was primarily grounded in the foundational values of compassion, empathy, human dignity, and alleviating suffering. My philosophy reflected what I was learning in coursework about the nursing metaparadigm and ethical principles. While those beliefs remain important to me, my perspective has significantly evolved since then.

Now, as a senior nursing student working in the adult emergency department, I have experienced substantial personal and professional growth. My understanding of nursing has expanded beyond compassionate, patient-centered care to include clinical judgment, prioritization, rapid assessment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient safety. Working in a high-acuity, fast-paced environment has taught me that nursing requires both emotional intelligence and technical competence. Compassion alone is not enough it must be paired with evidence-based practice, strong communication skills, and the ability to make timely decisions under pressure.

I have grown in my ability to advocate for patients, particularly in urgent or vulnerable situations. Advocacy now means speaking up about safety concerns, ensuring clear communication among team members, and recognizing when social determinants of health impact patient outcomes. My experiences have also increased my awareness of health disparities and the importance of trauma-informed, culturally competent care.

Additionally, I have developed greater professional accountability and leadership skills. As I transition from student nurse to future registered nurse, I view nursing not only as bedside care but as a responsibility to uphold safety standards, maintain ethical integrity, and contribute positively to the healthcare team. I have become more confident in my clinical reasoning, more resilient in stressful situations, and more intentional about continuous learning.

For this new paper, it is important to demonstrate this growth moving from a primarily theoretical and value-based understanding of nursing in my sophomore year to a more clinically grounded, experience-informed philosophy that reflects maturity, leadership, accountability, and readiness for professional practice.

Attatched will be the rubric as well as my previous paper.