Offer a suggestion, based on your experience, which is related to their goals and plans for expanding their awareness of issues beyond their current practice in alignment with Walden’s mission for social change and the SDOH framework.

Week 1 Discussion: Personal Philosophy in Nursing Practice

     Nursing is a profession of integration of science, ethics, and advocacy that drives equitable care and healing (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2021). My personal nursing philosophy emphasizes addressing mental health and trauma as central components of holistic healing and social justice. In my professional experience as a nurse in the emergency department (ED), I strive to integrate trauma-informed care into my practice while dismantling systemic inequities embedded in Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). My philosophy aligns with Walden University's (n.d.) mission for social change by advocating for mental health equity and structural reform to address systematic racism, oppression, and stigmatism that create barriers to healthcare.

Professional Experiences Shaping My Philosophy

     As an ED nurse, I have witnessed how SDoH and systemic inequities manifest in acute health crises. The ED is comprised of patients not only with physical ailments but also with mental health concerns and unresolved trauma that manifests in various physical and mental symptoms. For example, I frequently care for patients presenting with physical symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue only to uncover that their primary triggers for these symptoms are attributed to anxiety, depression, or untreated trauma manifestation. These experiences illustrate the interconnectedness of mental health, social conditions, and physical health, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) noted, identifying access to care and economic stability as factors affecting health outcomes.

     I have observed the effects of systematic racism and oppression in healthcare delivery. Patients from marginalized groups often face bias in pain management, mental health evaluation, and access to follow-up care. In one memorable instance, a patient presenting with chronic pain symptoms was dismissed as seeking medication despite diagnostic evidence of underlying conditions, such as sickle cell anemia. Such encounters have deepened my commitment to trauma-informed care and cultural humility as tools to counteract these inequities.

Beliefs About Nursing Practice

     Nursing is relational, ethical, and transformative. In this author's opinion, the relationship between nurse and patient must be rooted in trust and mutual respect, creating space for the patient's voice and lived experience to guide care. Addressing root causes, such as unresolved trauma or systemic barriers, should be a priority of nursing practice (Fleishman, Kamsky, & Sundborg, 2019).Trauma-informed care is foundational to my practice and philosophy. Recognizing that trauma frequently corroborates mental health crises and poor physical health outcomes, I strive to create a sense of emotional safety and trust in every patient interaction (Fleishman et al., 2019). This approach is particularly relevant in the ED, where patients often arrive at their most vulnerable moments. Providing compassionate care that respects their dignity, and context aligns with nursing's ethical mandate to promote holistic well-being (ANA, n.d.). 

Areas of Interest and Expertise

     My primary areas of interest, mental health, and healing root trauma are deeply integrated into my nursing practice and future of my nursing career. A large portion of the patients I encounter in the ED present with conditions exacerbated by unresolved trauma or chronic stress, including anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder. A patient experiencing chest pain may be diagnosed with anxiety caused by trauma rather than a cardiac event, revealing how mental health and physical symptoms intersect. Addressing these issues requires a trauma-informed lens and an understanding of how SDoH contributes to inequities in mental healthcare (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2024).

     Patients from marginalized communities often face barriers such as stigma, financial hardship, or lack of access to culturally competent providers (CDC, 2024). For example, racial and ethnic minority patients are frequently under diagnosed or misdiagnosed with mental health disorders, perpetuating disparities. Addressing these inequities requires that nurses engage in advocacy and systems-level reform, as McEwen and Wills (2022) argue that nursing bridges gaps using multiple perspectives or worldviews in a “unified” way is valuable and even necessary for knowledge development and care progression