After the example of Jesus Christ, who took compassion on the wounded, the sick and the suffering, we shall behave, teach, learn and care with respect, love and compassion.
We shall be guided in our learning and service by the two maxims: ‘Enlightened to Lighten’ And ‘Love in Service’.
We consider nursing as a passion and a profession. Therefore,we shall conscientiously inculcate:
The philosophy of Lourdes College of Nursing provides a direction to our students to the values and beliefs that must influence their nursing education and practice. They personify the philosophy in their actions when they enact their knowledge, attitude, skill, ethics and whole being in the care of patients and community.
The personnel of Lourdes College of Nursing consider:
Formal preparation: The courses in nursing are formal preparation for care of patients, family, environment and community. Our students are trained in hospital and community settings to improve the health of people, promote wellness and prevent illness and injury. To do this well, the nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to promote health and safety, preserve wholeness of character and integrity, maintain competence, and continue personal and professional growth.
Caring as a whole: The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population. The focus of care is the physical, psychological, spiritual, family and environmental aspects of patients and people.
Compassionate care: The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person. It includes being empathetic and kind-hearted caring; respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs and values and minimizing delay for both those who receive and provide care.
Ethical considerations: Ethical considerations in nursing, though challenging, represent a true integration of the art of patient care. Nurses should know the code of ethics within their profession and be aware and recognize their own integrity and moral character. To practice competently with integrity, nurses must abide by the rules of conduct, regulations and guidance within the nursing profession. The nurse, through individual and collective effort, establishes, maintains, and improves the ethical environment of the work setting and conditions of employment that are conducive to safe, quality health care.
Legal considerations: The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient. The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes decisions; and takes action consistent with the obligation to provide optimal patient care.
Social responsibility: Nurses will be key participants in health care reform as healthcare shifts from a hospital-based disease orientation to a community-centered health promotion focus. Nursing in communities, the environmental context of clients everyday lives requires attention to social, economic, and political circumstances that influence health status and access to health care. Therefore, nursing educators have the responsibility to prepare future nurses for community-based practice by instilling moral and professional practice obligations, cultural sensitivity, and other facets of social responsibility.
