Personal Nursing Philosophy Paper

1. Introduction that includes who you are and where you practice nursing
2. Definition of Nursing
3. Assumptions or underlying beliefs
4. Definitions and examples of  the major domains (person, health, and environment) of nursing
5. Summary that includes:
   1. How are the domains connected?
   2. What is your vision of nursing for the future?
   3. What are the challenges that you will face as a nurse?
   4. What are your goals for professional development?

Grading criteria for the Personal Philosophy of Nursing Paper:

Introduction                                                                               10%

Definition of Nursing                                                               20%

Assumptions and beliefs                                                         20%

Definitions and examples of domains of nursing              30%

Summary                                                                                   20%

Total                                                                                           100%

Your paper must be written in APA style

Personal Nursing Philosophy Paper

Case Study: Healing and Autonomy

Mike and Joanne are the parents of James and Samuel, identical twins born eight years ago. James is currently suffering from acute glomerulonephritis, kidney failure. James was originally brought into the hospital for complications associated with a strep throat infection. The spread of the A streptococcus infection led to the subsequent kidney failure. James’ condition was acute enough to warrant immediate treatment. Usually cases of acute glomerulonephritis caused by strep infection tend to improve on their own, or with an antibiotic. However, James also had elevated blood pressure and enough fluid buildup that required temporary dialysis to relieve.

The attending physician suggested immediate dialysis. After some time of discussion with Joanne, Mike informs the physician that they are going to forego the dialysis and place their faith in God. Mike and Joanne had been moved by a sermon their pastor had given a week ago, and also had witnessed a close friend regain mobility when she was prayed over at a healing service after a serious stroke. They thought it more prudent to take James immediately to a faith healing service instead of putting James through multiple rounds of dialysis. Yet Mike and Joanne agreed to return to the hospital after the faith healing services later in the week, and in hopes that James would be healed by then.

Two days later the family returned, and was forced to place James on dialysis, as his condition had deteriorated. Mike felt perplexed and tormented by his decision to not treat James earlier. Had he not enough faith? Was God punishing him or James? To make matters worse, James kidneys had deteriorated such that his dialysis was now not a temporary matter, and was in need of a kidney transplant. Crushed and desperate, Mike and Joanne immediately offered to donate one of their own kidneys to James, but they were not compatible donors. Over the next few weeks, amidst daily rounds of dialysis, some of their close friends and church members also offered to donate a kidney to James. However, none of them were tissue matches.