Nursing Self-Concept

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Nursing Self-Concept

Reflecting on how I have learnt the values, beliefs, attitudes, morals and perceptions has helped me in discovering myself. I realized that my values, morals and beliefs are the reason I chose to work the line of nursing. Within myself, there is an awareness of the perceptions that I have experienced in the course of my life. I am a self-driven woman with a standard appearance, independent, dependable, of Latin heritage and a catholic follower. I am a friend to many, a nurse and a volunteer in various things. I desire to become one of the most influential persons within my career as well in my social life. These desired values and skills are realistic, and I know that I will achieve them by the end of my bachelor’s degree in nursing.

I am compassionate, courageous and committed to what I do. My skills include socializing with people of all lifestyles and helping others learn. I have excellent communication skills, observation skills, team spirit and dealing with emotionally challenged people. My desired professional self-concept is to be viewed as a powerful, reliable, dependable and confident person both within my workplace and outside the workplace. In terms of skills, I want to become one of the best experts in the developmental care and nursing practice. I also want to be one of the most enthusiastic and self-confident people in my career and social life. The larger part of my professional self-concept is inspired by my cultural background where I have always wanted to help. My Christian beliefs also require us to be good Samaritans. Additionally, my learning has defined my professional self-concept.

In my own definition, nursing encompasses collaborative as well as autonomous care for all people across different ages, races, families, communities, groups and religion amongst other groups, without discrimination. Nursing is not only for the sick, but also for healthy people in all settings. Its main purpose is improving health, which not only comes from taking care of the sick physically, but all people emotionally, psychologically and through various methods and interventions. The theorist that best coincides with my definition is Virginia Henderson, with her theory on the nature of nursing. The theorist suggests that nursing is a unique function aimed at assisting an individual, whether sick or not, within performance of activities that contribute to their health. This theory coincides with my approach because she recognizes that nursing is for both the sick and the healthy.

My professional goals are to become an expert in the provision of the best care to patients using evidence-based technical care, championing patient advocacy, safety, satisfaction and achieving best outcomes. Additionally, it is my professional goal to provide all patients and clients with an environment conducive enough for promoting health, facilitating recovery and improving living conditions for terminally ill, as well as developmentally challenged patients. The professional knowledge that I bring to the practice include good communication skills, listening to patients, working in teams, confidence, attention to details, compassion and patience. The knowledge I desire to acquire include better assessment and analysis of patient progress, critical thinking, leadership and management skills, which I am currently gaining from my course. I believe that these skills, combined with the technical and healthcare knowledge I gain, will be crucial in achieving my aforementioned professional goals.

My professional self-concept has changed since I became a nurse. Before becoming or working as a registered nurse with patients having developmental disabilities, I did not know as much about myself as I do now. Such patients have long-term conditions that will influence their lives and are different from bedridden patients. Most of them require instructions and teaching on how to live better. It is from here that I realized my excellent teaching skills and compassion. This comes from living and interacting with such patients on a daily basis. The situations within this setting influenced me to become compassionate, as well as have a stronger need to help.