My Philosophy of Practice
Patricia Bartholomew FNP-BC
The Original Florence Nightingale Pledge1893
I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I shall abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous and shall not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I shall do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. I shall be loyal to my work and devoted towards the welfare of those committed to my care.
Modern Practical Nurse Pledge:
While the pledge hasn’t drastically changed, many nursing schools that still use the Nightingale Pledge have made updates to the earlier versions. One change was made specifically to remove the phrase, “loyal to physicians” to promote more independence in the nursing profession.
Before God and those assembled here, I solemnly pledge; To adhere to the code of ethics of the nursing profession; To co-operate faithfully with the other members of the nursing team and to carry out faithfully and to the best of my ability the instructions of the physician or the nurse who may be assigned to supervise my work; I will not do anything evil or malicious, and I will not knowingly give any harmful drug or assist in malpractice. I will not reveal any confidential information that may come to my knowledge in the course of my work. And I pledge myself to do all in my power to raise the standards and prestige of practical nursing; May my life be devoted to service and to the high ideals of the nursing profession.
A Modern Version of the Hippocratic Oath
I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:
I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians medical practitioners in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.
I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.
I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.
I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.
I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.
I will remember that I do not treat a fever , a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.
I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.
I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.
If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.
~~~A Modern Version of the Hippocratic Oath
As Medical Practitioner my job requires offering selfless service and a higher level of care to my patients. I am a trustee of my patients’ health. I have the ultimate responsibility and accountability. Professional nursing practice is dependent on so many concepts, but the ones that stand out to me include beneficence, non-maleficence, empathy, and collaboration.
Beneficence is about doing good to benefit others. A remarkable level of compassion is needed to achieve this quality. Being resourceful, client advocate, and educator are examples of beneficence.
Non-maleficence is synonymous to beneficence. It is about measures that do not cause evil or harm to patients. This includes both preventable and purposeful or intentional harm. This quality requires vigilance, excellence, and knowledge. health. Non-maleficence is one of the major tools that ensures safety to patients.
Empathy promotes excellent care through the act of putting oneself in the place others. Examples of empathy include respecting patient’s views, beliefs, and preferences.
Collaboration is all about team work. We need the efforts of other members in the interdisciplinary team to provide a complete oand holistic care to my patients. Working hand in hand with these interdisciplinary team members is what ensures the best outcomes we try to achieve.
Caring is the central theme for medical practice Optimum care can be achieved through acts of beneficence, maleficence, empathy, and collaboration.
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