Advanced Practice Nursing Philosophy
My choice to pursue advanced practice nursing arose from a personal calling. As a nurse, I felt compelled to become an active voice for those patients unable to speak on their own behalf. As a health care consumer, I felt driven to seek answers to questions regarding diseases and interventions which promote personal health and well-being, answers supported by scientific research. And, as the parent of children with chronic health issues, I felt frustrated with care that sometimes felt fragmented, inconsistent, and even judgmental. As such, I vowed to deliver care that is sensitive to the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual considerations of my patients and their families. I sought new purpose and greater depth for my professional life and living. As Mitch Albom stated, “the way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning”.
I came to the realization, however, that this level of devotion requires action which not only incorporates the individual, but involves advocating change within the community, the health care delivery system, advanced practice nursing, and society as a whole. This level of change must come through multi-disciplinary interventions and a unified approach. Now that I am older, and hopefully wiser, I understand my personal, professional, and political obligations to facilitate change for individuals. I can achieve this through advanced practice nursing, professional organizations, and volunteer service. Through achieving a Doctorate of Nursing Practice, I demonstrate to my patients, the health care community, and society, my dedication and commitment to safety, expert practice, and proactive change.
Advanced practice nursing builds upon the skills, theory, and professional knowledge base I acquired from my baccalaureate foundations. It augments the myriad of professional opportunities and personal interactions that I have been so fortunate to encounter. The privilege of advanced practice education allows me to more effectively integrate theory, complex assessment skills, and expert knowledge derived from evidence-based findings in order to function more autonomously with my clients in a safe and competent manner. Advanced practice nursing permits me to establish medical diagnoses, facilitate management of client problems, and prescribe both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments both independently and collaboratively. Yet my obligations as a nurse practitioner reach beyond treatment of diseased states and maintenance of chronic conditions. I am responsible, and uniquely suited as an APN, to help motivate and guide individuals to assume personal accountability towards their health and wellness through health promotion education and activities -- this I do collaboratively with the patient and their needs in mind.
Advanced Practice Nurses dedicate themselves to caring for the health and well-being of the whole person with consideration of all patient’s needs from conception to their first breath in life to their last. And while life brings many unanticipated illnesses and life-changing events, all individuals deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, compassion, and kindness. All patients deserve to have their stories heard and understood. It is my honor and privilege to be able to offer my services as a Family Nurse Practitioner one day soon.