Statement of Philosophy

9/20/21

From the moment I set foot into healthcare as a housekeeper I knew that I wanted to establish a career in the medical field. Perhaps it was the pride I felt knowing and conversing with nurses and doctors, or perhaps it was the gratitude patients expressed from me simply having a conversation with them while mopping their room. I never envisioned myself as a nurse but the union payed for it entirely, and there were many options for growth and mastery. After I graduated with my BSN I became a Med Surg/Telemetry nurse in Southside hospital. Here I came to understand the importance and necessity of strong teamwork. As a new nurse fear and unfamiliarity definitely restricted me at times from displaying my full potential in acute situations but the experience of my team members and their team ethic assisted and nurtured me countless times. In return whenever the opportunity presented itself I was happy and proactive in returning that help to my teammates. During one of my shifts I was charged with the care of an adult female patient who had a history of bi-polar disorder and had been admitted for a worsening urinary tract infection (UTI). The patient upon admission was mute and did not speak a word. The patients family members were afraid and confused as the patient had never presented in this manner. Along with treating the UTI the medical team felt a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner was necessary for treatment. Within three days of receiving the medication regimen prescribed by the Psychiatric NP the patients symptoms resolved and her presentation returned to the baseline the family had known. The family was overjoyed and I was glad to have a conversation with my patient for the first time. In this moment I realized that I had a deep desire to learn and treat the human mind, and psychiatric conditions. While I was thankful for all the skills and experience med-surg offered me after one year I left and started my career as a psychiatric nurse in South Oaks hospital. I harbor no regrets, only excitement as I am now in pursuit of my masters as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. If I had to identify myself in two words they would be progressive and optimistic as I have overcame many challenges and maintain a hopeful outlook towards the future. Above all else I believe that investing in and developing a strong team bond is crucial to optimal patient care.

10/11/23

As an upcoming provider now more than ever it is clear the importance of evidence-based research incorporated into everyday practice. One of the most vital assets I acquired as a nurse is my clinical judgement, which came as I gained experience. As an upcoming provider who has not yet practiced, I will initially lack experience, thus evidence-based practice affords me the opportunity to utilize the experience of other providers which can be used as tools to guide my way of practice. Within my graduate program at Adelphi University NUR 705-001 Nursing Research, Statistics and EBP I was required to appraise research and evaluate its potential for risk of bias which allows me to differentiate between useful and non-useful research bolstering my efficacy as a provider. The COVID-19 pandemic is a prime example of a rainbow after the storm, yes there were many losses and the world went into isolation but amidst all that chaos, mental health awareness grew rapidly, telehealth appointments for mental health patients allowed for consistent treatment and the need for PMHNP's became evident. One of my main goals is to use my position to continue to raise mental health awareness without the need of a pandemic to accomplish this task while providing the most up to date first line treatments. In NUR 703 Health Policy for Advanced Nursing Practice I learned how to reach out to legislation, remain politically aware, use my position to shape policies and advocate for optimal patient care/healthcare work conditions. While I am but one individual, by utilizing technology, research, and an integrated/collaborative approach I am able to impact healthcare monumentally.