Nursing Philosophy

Nursing is a dynamic and evolving profession which provides a unique service to patients and their families. The practice of the profession demands the creation of a climate which encourages the development of health behaviours, promotes the restoration of optimal functioning, and assists in coping with irreversible illness or impending death. 

Nursing is both an art and a science and this is evident in the application of scientific knowledge and principles, in the assessment of patients' needs, in the development and implementation of a care plan, and in the evaluation of patient and family responses.

We believe that patients have the right to expect safe, competent individualised nursing care, from admission up to and including discharge.

We believe that nursing includes care which provides emotional support, counselling, reassurance and education to the family. We believe that the family plays an important role in the recovery process of the patient, and should be educated and encouraged by nursing to become actively involved in the patient's plan of care, during hospitalisation and following discharge.

We believe that nurses have a responsibility to create a safe patient environment, to respect the privacy of the patient, to give him accurate information in matters relating to his care, to provide quality patient care to the level of their knowledge and skill, and to act as the patient's advocate.

We believe that the standard of nursing care should be unaffected by the patient's race, culture, religious belief or the ability to pay.

We believe that nurses have the authority and autonomy to make nursing decisions, that they are accountable for nursing practice, and that the delivery, supervision and direction of nursing care is the responsibility of the registered nurse.

We believe that while working collaboratively with other health care professionals, nursing plays the central role in delivery of health care to the community.

We believe, as a profession, nursing recognises the need to contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge through research; to operate within a code of ethics; to set standards of practice and to promote the competence of individual nursing professionals.

We believe continuing and higher education are essential to the promotion of professional nursing and the establishment of nursing leadership.

We believe that nurses have the right to practise in a safe work environment, to stated job performance expectations, regular feedback and performance appraisal.

We believe that nurses have the right to expect job satisfaction, the prospect of promotion and professional advancement opportunities.

We believe that the Division of Nursing is committed to supporting a positive working relationship with Aga Khan University School of Nursing (AKU-SON), to participating in the selection of students and faculty, having input into curriculum design, and sharing a common philosophy of professional nursing practice.

We believe that the Division of Nursing must support and contribute to definition of the philosophy, goals, objectives and policies of the organisation.

We believe that the advancement of the nursing profession will be possible only in a climate of continuous improvement of the quality of nursing care and continuous professionalisation of nursing practice.

We believe that the Division of Nursing has a responsibility to encourage information-exchange relating to advances in nursing knowledge with Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) network institutions, and with the health care community at large, within the limits of available resources.

We believe that the Nursing Division of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) is responsible for assuming a leadership position in defining the role of professional nursing in Pakistan and in creating a model of nursing excellence which may be emulated, not only in Pakistan but throughout the region.