CULTURAL PROFILE AND PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING
Family background: I was raised in a small humble family of five in Manila Philippines. Growing up, I was taught some core values by my parents, who are; honesty, respect, love, kindness, responsibility, and compassion. These have shaped the person I am today, and they are similar to the mainstream in the United States as they are all accepted and practised by most people. My family have a positive attitude toward foreigners, and they treat them with love and respect without discrimination. My family had rules that were to be observed. For example; respecting the elders, if this rule would be violated, it led to a family feud, and there were consequences to be faced.
Ethnic background: I am from the Itawes ethnic group who were the earliest inhabitants of Cagayan Valley in Southern Luzon. Apart from the Itawes language, we speak Ibanag and Ilocano languages. Generally, laws are sociable, charming and friendly and are not different from other Christianized Filipino groups’ in terms of traditions, housing and lively hood. Our dresses are colourful with red being the primary colour and farming is the leading source of income to us.
Gender orientation: as I grew up I was taught that different genders have different genders in the family. For instance, a father is the head of the family and have the role of providing for his family. A man should have the authority in making decisions about a family. On the other hand the role of women is childcare and taking care of the house though these roles has changed in the modern world. Coming from a strong Christian family, they were against homosexuality.
Social economic status: as a child, my father worked while my mother stayed at home. We as children were not spoiled with toys and stuff but my father tried his best to provide us with basic needs. We were not privileged as we didn’t enjoy special advantages or rights as a family. I was taught that it was normal for people to be poor and all people should be treated equally.
Disability status: growing up in Manila I had close contact with persons who have disabilities. For example my neighbour who was blind and some of my classmates in high school. What I understand by hidden disability is that it’s neurological, physical or mental condition that cannot be seen from the outside, yet challenge and limit a person’s movements and senses.
Educational background: I was an excellent student in elementary school and I therefore skipped a year and graduated in only five years in elementary school instead of six. I joined junior school and later high school. Afterwards I was privileged to join college in Philippines and I got a college degree. Currently am studying to become a registered nurse here in the United States. I feel privileged and presented in the school’s curriculum. There are different students from different races in my class and some who are like me. Education has greatly moulded me in various ways in my life and has brought the best in me.
Attitudes towards health and illness: I was taught that being healthy is being sound and well, not sick but in a good physical and mental condition. Health comes from maintaining good hygiene and eating healthy foods. Some causes of illness are bacteria, fungi and viruses. My responsibilities toward maintaining good health are doing exercises, eating a balanced diet and maintaining proper hygiene.
Personal philosophy of nursing in regard to diversity
The purpose of this paper is to describe my personal philosophy of nursing in regard to diversity. To begin with, nursing is the promotion, protection and optimizing abilities and health, prevention of injury and illness, facilitating healing alleviating suffering through diagnosis and treatment, and advocacy in care of individuals, groups and the population. My personal values are the key drivers for my philosophy as a nurse.
In nursing diversity includes, gender, race, disability, religion, nationality and age. As a nurse I encounter people from different race, ethnicity gender, and cultural background. Diversity in nursing is knowing how to respond incase a patient becomes violent towards me for my gender culture or religion, or what how to respond if a medical professional refuses to give me because I identify myself as LGBTQ. We are urged to grow professionally in our efforts to understanding diversity and translate those learning to quality care for every patient.
My values and beliefs as a person are honesty, compassion, integrity, understanding and collaboration with other people to achieve common goals. I try to keep this values when providing care to my patients who are under my care. Patients come from different backgrounds and I treat them equally without discriminating because of their diversities. As a hardworking, dedicated, and honest nurse I try to understand my patients and their family members. I am always mindful of the fact that I deal with people who are in pain, sick and suffering. Paying attention and listening to them helps lessen their anxieties.
References
Kellett, P., & Fitton, C. (2017). Supporting transvisibility and gender diversity in nursing practice and education: embracing cultural safety. Nursing Inquiry, 24(1), e12146.