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Values Clarification for Ethical Decision-Making

Jessica Yandle

University of South Florida, College of Nursing

NUR3825: Introduction to Nursing

Professor Barbara A. Redding

November 20, 2022

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VALUES CLARIFICATION
Values Clarification for Ethical Decision-Making

Values clarification allows one to freely choose what values they identify with, which

often stem from one’s personal, familial, and cultural influences (Blais & Hayes, 2016, p.55). It

is important that nursing students clarify their values as they play an integral role in patient care

and decision-making. A potential conflict may arise between a nurse’s values and a patient’s

values. Thus, a nurse needs to be able to recognize discrepancies and prioritize a patient’s values

when providing care, so that patient care is not compromised. Upon taking the Values

Clarification Assessment, I determined my top three values to include generosity, accountability,

and control. These were my most important values as they vary on the Barrett Seven Level of

Consciousness Model and represent my behavior in clinicals in different ways. This paper will

further explore my chosen values of generosity, accountability, and control as well as compare

those values to The Essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing practice to determine

how these values will affect my future career in nursing and decision-making.

Top Three Personal Values

Value #1: Generosity

Generosity is a value categorized under the ‘Internal Cohesion’ area in the Barrett Seven

Level of Consciousness Model (“Personal values assessment,” 2021). Per the model, possessing

this value means one is striving toward selfless service (“Personal values assessment,” 2021). I

found myself identifying with this value as I have a deep desire to continually give to others and

serve those in need. I believe this value will blend beautifully into my future nursing career as I

will feel compelled to devote my resources and time to giving patients quality care in order to

restore their health. This value can potentially be challenged as I may have to refrain from
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fulfilling a patient’s request for the benefit of their health. For example, denying a patient’s plead

to eat prior to a surgical procedure.

Value #2: Accountability

The value of accountability is transformative as it involves one letting go of fears and

growing as an individual (“Personal values assessment,” 2021). I believe I’m accountable as I’m

also responsible, punctual, reliable, and hold myself to a high standard. I have the ability to

accept ownership of my actions and learn from them, when necessary. Having accountability

benefits me in clinicals as my mentors have faith that I will perform tasks successfully. It is also

essential to possess accountability as a nurse because nurses are often responsible for the lives of

their patients. This value may be challenged if burnout is experienced. If burnout is experienced,

I may fail to perform skills to a necessary standard and can no longer be deemed as accountable.

Value #3: Control

Control is a survival need and is a potentially limiting value (“Personal values

assessment,” 2021). I think my acknowledgment and acceptance of possessing control is

important as it’s where I will gain the most from this assignment. Having control has both

positive and negative aspects for me. It is positive in the sense that I perform to a certain level of

excellence. However, it is also negative because I fail to delegate tasks and trust others.

Therefore, I need to exercise my ability to trust in order to grow, and to prevent this from being a

limiting value. This value has helped in clinicals as I’m eager to learn, so that I can lead and take

control when the time arises. However, this value will be challenged in nursing as nursing is a

team-oriented career. I will need to suppress my want for control in order to make appropriate

decisions for the sake of the patient and their care.

Comparison to Essential VIII

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The Essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing practice demonstrates

various professional abilities a nurse can maintain as both an entry-level nurse and an advanced-

level nurse. Some of these abilities can be directly applied to my top three personal values.

Generosity allows me to engage in advocating for a patient as I have a desire to give each patient

the upmost quality care (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021). Possessing

accountability falls directly in line with taking responsibility for my actions in patient care

(American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021). Lastly, having control and the drive to

perform to a certain level of excellence guarantees that I am adhering to requirements and

policies of the workplace (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021).

Conclusion

Performing a values clarification assessment while in nursing school is a great tool for

one to recognize their personal values and how those values play a role in providing patient care

and in their ethical decision-making. By analyzing my three top values of generosity,

accountability, and control as well comparing them to The Essentials: Core competencies for

professional nursing practice, I was able to visualize how my values will make a direct impact

on my future career in nursing. My values of generosity and accountability help mold me into a

great future nurse as they allow me to prioritize the patient and accept responsibility for the care

that I provide. However, my value of control is positive in the sense that I am driven to maintain

a certain level of excellence, but also limiting as I fail to trust others. All values have the

potential to be challenged, therefore, it is vital that I recognize those challenges so that I only

make decisions that benefit the patient and their care.

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References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The Essentials: Core competencies for

professional nursing practice.

https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/AcademicNursing/pdf/Essentials-2021.pdf

Blais, K. K., & Hayes, J. S. (2016). Professional Nursing Practice: Concepts and

perspectives (7th ed.). Pearson.

Personal values assessment (PVA). Barrett Values Centre. (2021, September 22). Retrieved

November 19, 2022, from https://www.valuescentre.com/tools-assessments/pva/