IndexChoosing NursingEssence of NursingBeliefs and ValuesVision for the FutureSummaryBefore you make your final decision about a career as a professional nurse in the fast-paced world of healthcare, there are many questions that an individual must be able to answer about themselves. First, gather your understanding of what exactly it means to be a nurse and what responsibilities come with nursing, do your research first, let's be honest, it has to be more than just wearing scrubs, right? So, after you gain a true understanding of what a nurse is, ask yourself if breastfeeding is right for me. Do you believe you have what it takes to be a nurse, can you truly care for others with genuine compassion, regardless of your personal ideas, myths and beliefs as a professional? Now that the research is done and you have done a self-assessment on yourself and answered the questions above, ask yourself, “How will nursing impact my future, whether it be education, management, leadership, etc. .?” plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Choosing Nursing Before choosing any career, you need to have a clear understanding of why they chose the career path they decided on. Career paths are influenced by a combination of factors including: financial gain, stability, flexibility, job security, personal and professional reasons all play an important role in choosing the right career for you. When choosing nursing, the most important factor is having compassion for others. The altruistic ability to have compassion for strangers and care for the sick regardless of race, ethnicity, age, or ability to pay is a must for caring for individuals. Wanting to help others and care for the sick is a desire of most nurses. Nursing care is oriented towards different aspects of an individual other than just the disease in question. It involves addressing illness, well-being, emotional health, educational attainment, and mental health well-being of individuals. This means having a holistic way of thinking about the whole person, which is necessary to provide the best care possible. Knowing that I possess this ability towards the general individuals I encounter on a daily basis is why I chose to become a nurse! Essence of NursingMasters (2016) “As society and individuals change, our nursing philosophy changes to be congruent with a new and renewed understanding.” p 101. This is true, as is evident from the numerous changes made by the ANA from 1980 to 1995, also in 2003, 2010, and again in 2015. The belief in what exactly the core of nursing is, and what it should be, consists in one's values, beliefs, morals, truths and understandings. Having a clear and concise understanding of your perspectives will help you have a professional, personal and thoughtful philosophy towards the essence of nursing and its foundations. Given my personal experience having worked as a CNA or 6 years, then as a Licensed Registered Nurse for 5 years to becoming a Registered Nurse for the last 6 years. I have noticed that my beliefs about what the core of nursing should be have changed dramatically due to my many years of experience in healthcare. My belief is that thecore of nursing care is guided by the concept of whole person care, in other words a holistic approach which I have noticed in my practice and experiences, when this happens there is always a better outcome for patients. I developed this belief when I was a CNA providing bedside care is when I realized that people needed more than just basic nursing care, you have to consider the needs of the person as a whole. Beliefs and Values ​​As far as the patient is concerned, you have to create a nurse -client relationship. Key components of this include trust, respect, genuine concern for their wellbeing and empathy. With that being I said that my belief is that your patient must have confidence that you will take care of them as a whole with respect and care. This includes the ability to identify the mental, emotional and social needs, as well as the physical needs of the body so that proper healing can occur. I also believe that the patient's family should absolutely be part of the holistic approach in patient care. Not only does it give the family a sense of purpose related to their family member, but it allows them to be able to take part in the healing process in which the patient will enjoy. It will also let the patient know that you have their best interest at heart and will make sure everyone has a role in their recovery process. Again, this goes back to the nurse-client relationship. When I think of my fellow healthcare professionals the word multidisciplinary comes to mind. To give the patient the best outcome it is best to incorporate a “team” approach in developing a patient care plan. This includes a collaborative approach that involves individuals possessing different levels of knowledge to treat the patient as a whole. I know that my personal health, both physical and mental, plays a vital role in allowing me to properly care for my patients. I can't take care of others if I'm not well myself. Some important key factors that I believe can help me stay on top of my well-being include the following: exercise, eating well, getting adequate sleep (especially on days when I have to work), taking lunch breaks at work, time management, taking advantage of time off if available to prevent burnout, do not come to work sick as this can be harmful to my patients. I understand that my overall health is a key component in how I can meet my patients' needs mentally, physically and emotionally. Vision for the FutureWhen I initially entered the healthcare field at a young age, I didn't know what it was all about as far as education and growth. But it didn't take me long to realize that I wanted to be part of healthcare's growth and changes in a positive movement. I am currently enrolled in the RN-MSNFNP program. I will be earning my bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington within the next year. I will then immediately begin my studies for the graduate portion of the program and plan to graduate with my family nurse practitioner in 2022. Within the next 5 years I plan to obtain my certification in psychology and work as a psychology nurse. This is my overall plan/goal during my education journey. I plan to return to work in areas of my community such as an MHMR, addiction clinic, or psychiatric emergency room. Even though the road seems long, I am prepared for the journey. I'm reminded of a saying I've heard many times before: “Everything worth having is worth fighting for.” -Thomas Jefferson. That said, in 10 years I plan.