2. Objectives
At the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
1. Define value/belief pattern
2. Explain how behaviors related to values
3. Identify sources of professional nursing values
4. Apply cultural and developmental perspective
when identifying values
5. Examine values conflict and resolution in nursing
care situations
3. Introduction:
Values are important in nursing and health care as they
underpin all aspects of professional practice , including
decision making , choose between alternatives , and
resolve conflict . Values can be divided into three levels
of expressions
1. Beliefs
2. values themselves
3. Attitudes
4. Terminologies
• Value: Beliefs or attitudes about the worth of a
person, object, idea or action.
• Belief: Beliefs are the assumptions we make about
ourselves, about others in the world and about how
we expect things to be.
• Attitude: Feelings toward a person, object or idea
(e.g, acceptance, rejection, etc.)
5. Relevent terms
Assumptions: Assumptions are beliefs that are regarded as so valuable
and obviously correct that they are taken for granted and rarely
examined or questioned.
Honesty: A facet of moral character that connotes positive and
virtuous attributes such as integrity, truthfulness, and
straightforwardness, along with the absence of lying, cheating, or
theft.
Code: Any system of principles, rules or regulations relating to one
subject.
Conduct : The manner of guiding or carrying one's self, personal
deportment, mode of action, behavior.
6. Relevent terms
Decision : A choice or judgment
Environment: The surroundings of, and influences on, a
particular item of interest.
Moral: Of or relating to principles of right and wrong in
behavior, especially for teaching right behavior
Attitude is the way a person expresses or applies their beliefs
and values, and is expressed through words and behavior.
example I get really upset when I hear about cruelty to
children and animals, or I hate school
7. BELIEF
• A Belief is a state of the mind which regards a thing to
be true or Having confidence that something is true .
• A belief is an internal feeling that something is true, even
though that belief may be unproven & irrational, e.g I
belief that there is life after death
• Beliefs are the assumptions and convictions that are held
to be true, by an individual or a group, regarding
concepts, events, people, and things
• Beliefs are held without recourse to proof or evidence.
• Beliefs can be influenced by many factors , including
knowledge , experience , culture , and religion.
• The most basic value and the one that changes least
8. Belief
• Beliefs goes beyond the obvious, based more on faith
than fact.
• One of the main beliefs in nursing is that patients will get
better with good care .
• Another belief may be that this, rather than other work,
is ultimately satisfactory .
• Belief Systems: Often deal with issues which cannot be
explained by reason or logic – creation, the meaning of
life, afterlife
• Values have major influence on person's behavior and
attitude and serve as broad guidelines in all situations
9. Conti….
A belief system is an ideology or set of principles that
helps us to interpret our everyday reality. This could
be in the form of religion, political affiliation,
philosophy, or spirituality, among many other things.
These beliefs are shaped and influenced by a number
of different factors. Our knowledge on a certain
topic, the way we were raised, and even peer
pressure from others can help to create and even
change our belief systems.
10. Types of Beliefs
1. Commendatory ("I believe I am a good writer)
2. Existentialism (Belief in God)
– Monotheism
– Polytheism
– Atheistic
11. Value
• They are also beliefs and are defined as: “Beliefs about what is
desirable or good and what is undesirable or bad”
• Values are ideals that guide or qualify your personal conduct,
interaction with others, and involvement in your career. Like morals,
they
• Help you to distinguish what is right from what is wrong &
• Inform you on how you can conduct your life in a meaningful way.
• Value is a measure of the worth or importance a person attaches to
something; our values are often reflected in the way we live our lives.
example I value freedom of speech.
• A coherent set of values adopted and/or evolved by a person, organization, or society as a
standard to guide its behavior in preferences in all situations
12. Types of Values
• Religious Value
• Personal Value
• Cultural Value
• Humanistic
• Optimistic
• Democratic
• Motivational Value
13. Types of values
Religious values
Religious values are ethical principles founded in
religious traditions, texts and beliefs. In contrast to
personal values, religious-based values are based on
scriptures and a religion's established norms
They help people determine which actions to take, and
to make judgments about right or wrong and good or
bad
14. Types of values
Personal Values
Personal values are principles that define you as an
individual. Personal values, such as honesty, reliability,
and trust, determine how you will face the world and
relate with people
Cultural Values
Cultural values, like the practice of your faith and customs,
are principles that sustain connections with your cultural
roots. They help you feel connected to a larger
community of people with similar backgrounds.
15. Types of values
Humanistic values
They proclaim the importance of the individual.
Respect the whole person.
Treat people with respect and dignity.
Assume that every one has intrinsic worth.
View all people as having the potential for growth & development.
Optimistic values
They post that people are basically good.
Progress is possible and desirable.
Rationality, reason, and goodwill are the tools for making progress.
16. Types of values
Democratic Values
• They assert the sanctity of the individual.
• The right of people to be free from misuse of power.
• Use of fair and equitable treatment for all.
• Need for justice through rule of law.
Motivational Values
• Internal and external Values that stimulate desire and
energy in people to be continually interested and
committed to a job, role or subject, or to make an
effort to attain a goal
17. Types of values
Motivational Value
• Achievement: personal success through demonstrating
competence according to the social standards
• Hedonism: pleasure and sensuous gratification for oneself
• Stimulation: excitement, novelty and challenge in life
• Self Direction: independent thought and action choosing,
creating, exploring
• Power: social status and prestige, control or dominance
over the people and resources
18. Types of values
Rituals
A ritual is a formalized, predetermined set of symbolic
actions performed in a particular environment at a
regular, recurring interval. The set of actions that
comprise a ritual often include, but are not limited
to, such things as recitation, singing, group
processions, repetitive dance, manipulation of sacred
objects Examples are,- Hindus performing Puja,
Catholics taking Communion. Muslims praying.
19. Values Transmission
Values are learned through observation and
experience. We accumulate our values from
childhood via teaching and observation of our
parents, teachers, religious leaders, and other
influential and powerful people.
Values are highly influenced by a person’s family,
sociocultural environment, and peer groups. For
example, if a parent consistently demonstrates
honesty in dealing, the child will probably begin to
value honesty.
Similarly, some cultures prefer folk treatment over new
medicine which is learned from culture.
20. Values Influence on Behavior
• Values can have a positive influence on a person's behavior as
he or she tries to emulate the conduct he or she holds as
valuable.
• Values are one important element that affect who we are and
how we behave towards others.
• Companies can influence a person's behavior with codes of
conduct, ethics committees, and a punishment and reward
system.
• Sometimes there will be a gap between a person's values and
behavior. Organizational strategies, such as a reward system,
can close that gap.
– If we deem something valuable then we do what we can to emulate that value. If a
person values honesty, then they will strive to be honest. If a person values transparency
then they will work hard to be transparent. Values are one important element that
affect who we are and how we behave towards others
21. Professional values for nurses
• Be kind and considerate to those for whom they provide care,
and to their carers and families
• Listen to, and work in partnership with those for whom they
provide care
• Work constructively with colleagues to provide
patientcentered care, recognising that multi-disciplinary
teamwork, encouraging constructive challenge from all team
members, safety-focused leadership and a culture based on
openness and learning when things go wrong are
fundamental to achieve high quality care.
• Follow their employing or contracting bodies’ procedures when they have
concerns about the safety or dignity of people receiving care
22. Professional values for nurses
Be open and honest with people receiving care if
something goes wrong.
Nurses ' professional values are acquired during
socilizationinto nursing from codes of ethics , nursing
experiences , teachers ,and peers . The American
Association of Colleges of Nursing
(AACN , 1998) identified five values essential for the
professional nurse altruism , autonomy ,
humandignity , integrity , and social justice .
23. Professional values for nurses
Altruism is a concern for the welfare and well-being of
others. In professional practice, altruism is reflected by the
nurse's concern for the welfare of patients, other nurses,
and other health care providers.
Autonomy is the right to self-determination. Professional
practice reflects autonomy when the nurse respects
patients' rights to make decisions about their health care.
Human dignity is respect for the inherent worth and
uniqueness of individuals and populations. In professional
practice, human dignity is reflected when the nurse values
and respects all patients and colleagues.
24. Cont
Integrity is acting in accordance with an appropriate
code of ethics and accepted standards of practice.
Integrity is reflected in professional practice when the
nurse is honest and provides care based on an ethical
framework that is accepted within the profession.
Social justice is upholding moral, legal, and humanistic
principles. This value is reflected in professional
practice when the nurse works to ensure equal
treatment under the law and equal access to quality
health care
25. PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS
Demonstrates understanding of cultures, beliefs, and
perspectives of others.
Advocates for patients, particularly the most vulnerable,
Takes risks on behalf of patients and colleagues.
Mentors other professionals.
Plans care in partnership with patients.
Honors the right of patients and families to make decisions
about health care,
Provides information so patients can make informed
choices
26. PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS
Provides culturally competent and sensitive care.
Protects the patient's privacy.
Preserves the confidentiality of patients and health
care providers.
Designs care with sensitivity to individual patient
needs,
Provides honest information to patients and the public.
27. PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS
Documents care accurately and honestly.
Demonstrates accountability for own actions.
Supports fairness and nondiscrimination in the
delivery of care.
Promotes universal access to health care.
Encourages legislation and policy consistent with the
advancement of nursing care and health care.
28. Typical Value conflict and Sample Controvercies
1. Loyalty-honesty
2. Competition-Cooperation
3. Freedom of press-
national security
4. Equality-individualism
5. Order-freedom of speech
6. Security –excitement
7. Generosity –material
success
8. Rationality –spontaneity
9. Tradition –novelty
Should you tell your parents about your
sester’s drug habit?
Do you support grading system?
Is it wise to hold weekly presidential
press conference?
Are racial qoutas for employment fair?
Shoud we imprison those with radical ideas?
Should you choose a dangerous
profession?
Is it desirable to give financial help to a
beggar?
Should you check the odds before
placing a bet?
Should divorces be easily available?
29. Ethics
The study of moral rules and principles that govern a person's
behaviour or the conducting of an activity.
• Justice & Equality
• Respect for human dignity
• Relationships to patients
• The nature of health problems
• The right to self-determination
• Relationships with colleagues and others
• Privacy of patient's interests
• Conflict Resolution among Nurses
• Collaboration
• Professional boundaries
30. SUMMARY
• Values are learned and change in response to life situations
as persons develops
• How value influence attitudes and how they together
influence professional behavior.
• Most values are derived from four main sources that influence
our personal and professional attitudes(Science ,Culture
,Religion and Experience)
• people arrive at their own values through Choosing , Prizing
and then acting on them
• Values important in nursing settings as( values of health ,
health care , caring and nursing
32. References
• Tschudin, Verena ,RGN,...etc. .(1998).Ethics in
Nursing. The caring relationship-2nd ed. British
Library p(28-45).
• SimonS.B.,Howe.,L.W.@Kirshenbaum,H.(1995).Values
Clarification: Ahandbook of practical strategies for
teachers and students .New York: Hart.
• Fundamental of nursing by Erab & Koizer (6th edition)