Guzda, M., Kahn, T., & Schiermeyer, J. Philosophy Statement Our fundamental desire is to provide compassionate, safe and effective patient centered care. We do so by providing ongoing education for our staff to ensure that the best evidence based care is practiced. Education of patients is also key so they can make informed decisions about their care. We collaborate with a multi-disciplined team, the patient and/or the patient’s family to ensure that the best plan of care can be incorporated in a personalized manner to promote optimal health or dignity in death. Theoretical Framework Based on Virginia Henderson’s Philosophy that describes nursing as “…the unique function of the nurse to assist the individual in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge and to do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible (Henderson, 1966, p. 15). Henderson’s conceptual framework is used at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. It is used to provide focus on the safety needs of both the patients and staff, develop collaboration between staff and patient, and encourage staff responsibility (NMH Framework for nursing practice). Also based on Sister Callista Roy’s Adaptation Model that presents the person as a holistic adaptive system in constant interaction with the internal and the external environment. The main task of the human system is to maintain integrity in the face of environmental stimuli (Phillips, 2010). Adaptation leads to optimal health and well being, to quality of life, and to death with dignity (Andrews & Roy, 1991). References: American Nurses Association. (2014). What is Nursing? Retrieved from: Henderson, V. (1966). The nature of nursing: A definition and its implications for practice, research, and education. New York: Macmillan. Phillips, K. D. (2010). Sister Callista Roy: Adaptation model. In A. M. Tomey & M. R. Alligood (Eds.), Nursing theorists and their work (7 th ed., pp ). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby. Andrews, H. A., & Roy, Sr. C. (1991). Essentials of the Roy adaptation model. In Sr. C. Roy & H. A. Andrews (Eds.), The Roy adaptation model: The definitive statement (pp. 2-25). Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange. Framework for nursing practice. Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Retrieved from  Values and Beliefs Compassion Patient Advocacy Team Collaboration Ongoing Education Evidence Based Practice Safety Patient Team Collaboration AdvocacyCompassionSafetyEducation Evidence Based Practice Patient Conceptual Model Health: The best mental, physical, and spiritual place a person can be. Being able to perform acts of daily living to the best degree possible for each individual patient. Nursing: Understanding the patient like you are the patient. Holistic hands on care, with the heart, soul, and mind. Educating the patient and family and helping the patient gain as much independence as possible. Or to help them be prepared physically, mentally, and spiritually for death. Person: (patient) one that requires assistance to achieve health and independence but is in charge of their own care if able to be. The needs that are required to be fulfilled to achieve patient’s goals are based on the 14 basic needs as described by Henderson. Environment: All that surrounds the patient and influences their health. It includes all living things as well as natural forces, how they interact with each other and it’s effect on the patient. Metaparadigms: Nursing described as holistic “hands on” care. Ability to nurse mind, body and soul by protecting, promoting, and optimizing health, preventing illness and injury, alleviating suffering, and advocating for the patient (ANA, 2014).