Personal Philosophy
My goal to become an operating room nurse originated from my hard work ethic and desire to care for patients in their time of need. Prior to becoming a nurse, I worked in a chiropractic office where I learned many lessons that I have taken with me on my path to becoming a nurse. I once sat with the doctor for a few hours after the workday while she spoke with a patient’s insurance company regarding an issue regarding their benefits. The reaction of the patient the next day when they learned that all of the issues had been sorted out was one I will never forget.
The first lesson this experience taught me was patient-centered care. It was not common practice for the doctor to speak with the insurance companies regarding an issue with the patients benefits. The doctor noted the stress and anxiety the patient had over the issue and contacted the company to help them get it sorted out. When the patient came in the next day, I realized that taking that extra time out of her day relieved the stress and anxiety that patient was feeling. It has made me adopt the habit of letting patients know that I have the time to aid in any concerns or questions they may have.
The second lesson this experience taught me was the importance of communication, teamwork, and collaboration. The doctor and I researched into reasons why the patient was not receiving coverage thorough their insurance provider, which led us to contacting the company. The doctor worked in collaboration with the insurance company to deduce they needed a referral from their primary care provider to receive coverage for chiropractic treatment. This allowed the doctor to inform the patient of the solution to their issue. Working together allowed the healthcare team to place the patient’s needs as a priority and aid the patient in receiving the best care possible.
In my practice now, I remember this experience and am sure to always put the patient at the center of my focus. I keep in mind the feelings and stressors a patient may have and how it can affect their health. I make it a priority to constantly improve my professional communication skills within the perioperative team, who work closely together during the patients care. I advocate for my patients’ best interest, especially when they cannot speak for themselves. These lessons, paired with my dedication to the care of my patients, have made me into the nurse I am today.
Leadership Philosophy
Nurses have a unique relationships with patients. We have the most face-to-face time during patient care periods. My goal is to always lead by example for both my patients and coworkers. During my career in the operating room, I have worked with many nurses on a variety of surgical cases. One nurse has always stood out to me in their leadership skills. I once asked her how she does it. She told me that she comes to work knowing the patients on the table are in greater need than she is. She puts her patients first and comes to work rested and prepared for the day. This has taught me to know my priorities and to lead by example through self care and readiness. This nurse also leads by example through her work ethic and her dedication to patient care and safety. She follows policies and procedures with the knowledge that they have been set in place to maximize patient safety and outcomes. This has instilled in me the necessity to prioritize patient-centered care and safety. Policies are in place for a reason, work arounds can compromise patient care. Other nurses look to her to model their practice after due to her patient satisfaction and outcomes and her experience. Knowing that my practice directly affects patient care and may be modeled by new employees and students has taught me to follow protocol and safety measures and to avoid work arounds. Patient safety is my number one priority in the operating room, I will continue to lead by example and maximize the safety and wellbeing of my patients.