Professional Values

A discussion session for

Healthcare Students with the
Professional Development Team
 Overview of session

• What does the term ‘Professional

Values’ mean to you as a student?
• Definitions of Professional Values
• Comments for discussion
• ‘What do you see?’
• References
 Definition of Professional
Values
…. professional values are the guiding beliefs
and principles that influence your work
behaviour.
….your professional values are usually an
extension of your personal values such as
honesty, generosity and helpfulness.
….while these values may change over time
and around different life events, your core
beliefs should stay the same.
 Professional Values

• Giving care • Altruism

• Accountability • Autonomy
• Integrity • Human dignity
• Trust • Social justice
• Freedom
• Safety
• Knowledge
 however….

Although some values are considered more

important than others in certain professions,
there are some universal values that should
be, and usually are, held and practiced in all
of them. These universal values are:
‘first, do no harm’
‘keep it simple’
‘honesty is the best policy’
What are your thoughts on the
following comments?…..

‘students/newly qualified are not aware

of healthcare traditions, healthcare
culture or what it means to be a
healthcare professional’

‘students/newly qualified have no sense

of professional values or behaviour’
What do you see?
What are your thoughts?
 In essence…

• Values lie at the very heart of healthcare

delivery

• Healthcare professionals need an awareness

of their values and an understanding of how
those values influence their behaviour and its
impact on humanistic care
 References

Health & Care Professions Council (2012) Standards of conduct,

performance and ethics. London: HCPC

Iwasiw, C. L., Andrusyszyn, M-A. and Goldenberg, D. (2007) Fostering

Future Nursing Professionals: It’s a Matter of Values. International
Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 4 (1): Editorial

Kenny, G. (2002) The importance of nursing values in Interprofessional

collaboration. British Journal of Nursing, 11 (1): 65-68

LeDuc, K. and Kotzer, A-M. (2009) Bridging The Gap: A Comparison of the
Professional Nursing Values of Students, New Graduates, and Seasoned
Professionals. Nursing Education Research. 30 (5): 279-284
 References

Martin, P., Yarbrough, S. and Alfred, D. (2003) Professional Values Held

by Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Nursing Students. Journal of
Nursing Scholarship. 35 (3): 291-296

Nursing & Midwifery Council (2008) The code: Standards of conduct,

performance and ethics for nurses and midwives. London: NMC

Shaw, H. K. and DeGazon, C. (2008) Integrating The Core Professional

Values of Nursing: A Profession, Not Just a Career. Journal of Cultural
Diversity. 15 (1): 44-50