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Nursing can be defined as a profession in which medical professionals are responsible for providing medical, emotional, and social care; education; and oversight for their patients while maintaining a safe, comfortable environment in which they can heal.

This differs from my definition in 3001 as I realized the cares nurses perform are much more involved than simply performing medical tasks. Nurses are there to provide holistic care to all our patients needs be it physical, emotional, or social we are there to lend a hand or listening ear.

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The Need Theory - Virginia Henderson

Virginia Henderson said the purpose of nurses is “to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge” (Virginia Henderson 2022)

Patients in the healthcare system have a variety of needs pertaining to their physical, emotional, social, financial, and spiritual aspects. The Need Theory describes a method of nursing where the goal is patient autonomy where the patient can perform all cares for themselves to fulfill the previous aspects. I chose this theory because I agree patient autonomy is the end goal and supporting those needs when the patient cannot support themselves is a great way to help them heal until they can stand on their own again. This supports my definition of nursing as it also describes supporting the patients holistically with the goal of safe discharge where the patient can return to their life.

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Discipline - The ability to do the work that needs to be done is a necessary skill for health be it physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, or social. Staying consistent with tasks over long periods of time is the only way to see meaningful growth in valuable endeavors.

Integrity - I make mistakes as do we all, yet the ability to admit those mistakes to myself and others is the only way to improve the future outcomes.

Kindness - Every human has their own story, struggles, dreams, and loved ones thereby deserving of positive interactions assuming that does not create a safety risk.

I decided to become a nurse in order to help those in my community; have a flexible career in location and specialty; earn enough to support a family, and with the option to travel.

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Beneficence - As nurses we are responsible for acting in the best interest of our patients regardless of the context, we are to do 'good' (ANA Official Position Statements, 2025).

Integrity - We are privy to extremely private information and looked to for sources of reliable information. We must maintain that trust and come forward immediately and honestly if any mistakes are made (American Nurses Association, 2025).

Autonomy - Humans have the right and desire to choose for themselves. Patients have the right to determine the course of their own cares after being provided evidence based information (ANA, 2021).

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Professionalism - BSN nurses must be able to present themselves as professionals to patients, coworkers, and family. Enacting organizational change requires a professional that change can be build off of (University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, 2024).

Leadership - BSN nurses are responsible for guiding their patients, coworkers, and profession to greater heights. They look for opportunities to help those in need whenever they can while inspiring those around them to push for improvement.

Communication - In order to carry out patient cares, coordinate care plans, and enact meaningful change ideas must be able to be transferred efficiently between people.

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American Nurses Association. (2025). Code of Ethics for Nurses. American Nurses Association. https://codeofethics.ana.org/home

ANA. (2021). Nursing scope of practice. American Nurses Association. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/scope-of-practice/

ANA Official Position Statements. (2025). ANA. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/official-position-statements

Petiprin, A. (2023). Virginia Henderson - Nursing Theorist. Nursing Theory. https://nursing-theory.org/nursing-theorists/Virginia-Henderson.php

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. (2024, September 10). The importance of professionalism in nursing. University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. https://www.usa.edu/blog/professionalism-in-nursing/