Teaching Professional Values in a BSN Program

Values are core to the practice of nursing, determining priorities in healthcare and forming the foundation of relationships with clients. Specific values have been recognized as essential to professional nursing practice and are considered central content within a baccalaureate nursing program. While these professional values are identified and defined, there is little guidance in nursing pedagogical literature as to teaching approaches, range and depth of content, and evaluative methods in this area. Clear discussion of an effective educational approach to professional values would be a significant contribution to the discipline of nursing.The paper expands on the brief summary of the five professional values identified by AACN as essential to professional nursing practice. It is easy to understand these values on a superficial level, but these values have many layers and are very difficult to live out in nursing practice. The discussion moves beyond definition and gives specific examples to lend clarity and depth to the topic. The discussion includes common areas in which students have difficulty, noting the inherent challenges for each of the values.