As a nurse and nursing instructor with over 20 years of nursing experience, I feel strongly that nursing is grounded in respect, dignity, advocacy, empathy, and compassion. I believe in patient-centred care that places people first. I also prioritize reflective practice, collaboration, and building therapeutic relationships within both healthcare and educational settings.
My professional identity continues to evolve through teaching, leadership, clinical practice, and graduate studies. I place great importance on modelling professionalism, accountability, kindness, and compassionate care, both as a nurse and as an instructor.
As an educator, I believe incorporating music, videos, storytelling, and real-life experiences into my teaching helps students connect to the content on a deeper level, build empathy, and reduce the stigma often associated with mental health. I believe meaningful learning extends beyond textbooks and lectures alone. I strongly feel that these teaching methods encourage students to develop greater understanding, kindness, and compassion that they can carry forward into their nursing practice.
Nursing Ethics Word Cloud
Author: Heather Ostashek
Date: May 2026
Course: NURS 608 – Philosophical & Critical Foundations in Nursing
Artifact Description
This word cloud represents the values I uphold as a nurse, educator, and graduate nursing student. Compassion, empathy, respect, dignity, advocacy, and accountability are core values that guide how I interact with patients, families, students, and colleagues every day.
Creating this word cloud encouraged me to reflect on the values that have shaped who I am and who I aspire to become. These values support my commitment to lifelong learning and to providing ethical, person-centred care in my roles as both a nurse and nursing instructor. They are foundational to my personal and professional beliefs and will continue to guide my growth throughout my Master of Nursing journey.
Figure 1. Nursing Ethics Word Cloud
Six-Word Story
Every story shapes compassionate nursing care.
Author: Heather Ostashek
Date: July 2026
Course: NURS 608 – Philosophical & Critical Foundations in Nursing
Artifact Description
This six-word story was created to reflect the connection between nursing theory and my own nursing practice. It represents my belief that every person has a unique story and that nursing care should begin with listening, building trust, and understanding the person beyond the diagnosis.
Reflection
This six-word story reflects what I believe nursing is really about. Every person has their own story, and taking the time to listen, build trust, and see the person before the diagnosis can make a meaningful difference in the care we provide. These values continue to shape the kind of nurse and nursing instructor I strive to be.
Figure 2
Using Music to Encourage Empathy (TED Talk).
Note. TED Talk by Sarah Boulton (TED, 2018).
