COURSE LEARNING ACTIVITY

VALUES CLARIFICATION ACTIVITY

Professional values are the standards that guide nursing practice. The purpose of this learning
activity is to help the student discern individual values and to become aware of how personal
values impact professional values.

DEFINITIONS
Value

A personal belief about the worth of something that acts as a

standard to guide ones behavior. Helps us decide our behavior and
our ideas or concepts that give meaning.

Ethic

A systematic inquiry into principles of right and wrong, of virtue or

vice, and of good and evil as they relate to conduct and human
flourishing.

Moral

Personal group of standards of right and wrong.

What is the Values

Clarification Process?

A process by which people come to understand their own value and

value system.

Code of Ethics

A set of principles that reflect the primary goals, values, and

obligations of the profession. The framework for making ethical
decisions. May exceed legal requirements.

What is the purpose of

the Nursing Code of
Ethics?

Succinct statement of the ethical obligations and duties of every

individual who enters nursing. Professions non-negotiable ethical
standards. Expression of nursings own understanding of its
commitment to society. Defines moral norms for professional nursing
conduct.

Ethical Theory:

Systems of thought that attempt to explain how we ought to live and

why.

Utilitarian:

The rightness or wrongness of an action depends on consequences

of the action.

Deontology:

An action is right or wrong independent of its consequences.

Principle Based
Approach:

Combines elements of both utilitarian and deontological theories, and

offer specific action guides for practice.

What are the key

characteristics of
Principle Based
Approach?

Autonomy, non-malfeasance, beneficence, justice, and fidelity.

Autonomy:

Self-determination, being independent and self governing.

Non-Malfeasance:

Principle of avoiding evil.

Beneficence:

Principle of doing good.

Justice:

Process that distributes benefits, risks, and costs fairly.

Fidelity:

Keeping promises and commitments made to others.

Ethical Dilemma:

A problem that arises when attempted adherence to basic ethical

principles results in two conflicting courses of action.

Ethical Distress:

Wanting to do the right thing, but prohibited from doing it.

Care Based Approach:

Directs attention to the specific situations of an individuals patient

viewed within the context of their life narrative. Directs how you
choose to "be" and act each time you encounter a patient or
colleague is a matter of ethical significance.

What are characteristics

of Care Based
Approach?

Kindness, attentiveness, empathy, compassion and reliability.

Feminist Ethics:

A particular type of ethical approach popular among nurses. Aims to

critique existing patterns of oppression and domination in society
especially those affecting women and the poor.

Taken from: www.chenetwork.org/.../Values%20and%20HIV/...

DIRECTIONS:

Before you begin the Values Clarification Activity, it is important to

note that values clarification can be a difficult task. Chitty (2005) developed suggestions to assess
the significance of different values and a persons willingness to act on the value. Use of these
questions may help you in determining the values importance to you:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.

Have I given thought to this value?

What is the origin of this value (who first taught it to me?
How did I originally encounter this value (observation, discussion, teaching, etc.)
What are alternatives to this value?
Have I thought much about this value or the alternative(s)?
What are the consequences of choosing this value?
What am I willing to jeopardize by choosing this value?
Is choosing this value worth what it may cost me?
Is this value consistent with other values that I choose? Which ones?
Does this value conflict with other values that I deem important? How?
Do I feel good about this value? Why?
If this were not one of my chosen values, how would my life be different?
Am I willing to speak out for this value?
Am I willing to act on this value?
Do I act on this value? When? How consistently?
In what situations does this value prompt my action?
Do I want others who are important to me to choose this value?
Do I think this value may change?
In what way does this value impact others?

--adapted from Uustal, D. B. (1993) as cited in Chitty, K. K. (2005). Professional nursing: Concepts and challenges (4th ed., pp. 228-229). St.
Louis: Elsevier.

Below is a list of personal values many people consider to be important to their lives. Consider
each value carefully, adding more if you like, then rate each one on its degree of importance to
you at this time in your life. Submit completed form to the assigned Bb drop area by due date
posted on course calendar. Use the scale below:

INDIVIDUAL VALUES CLARIFICATION

Worksheet
Source unknown

SCALE:
1.

Not at all important to me

2.

Not very important to me

3.

Moderately important to me

4.

Very important to me

5.

Essential to me

__5_ Justice:

The quality of being impartial or fair; righteousness; conformity to truth,

fact, or reason; to treat others fairly or with equality.

__3_ Altruism:

Regard for or devotion to the interests of others.

__2_ Recognition:

Being made to feel significant and important; being given special notice or
attention.

_3__ Pleasure:

The agreeable emotion that accompanies the possession or expectation

of what is good or greatly desired; stress satisfaction or gratification rather
than visible happiness.

_4__ Wisdom:
judgment.

Ability to discern inner qualities and relationships; insight; good sense;

__5_ Honesty:

Straightforwardness of conduct; integrity; uprightness of character or action.

__4_ Achievement:

_4__ Autonomy:

__2_ Wealth:

Accomplishment; attainment of a desired end or aim; a result brought

about by resolve and persistence.

The ability to be a self-determining individual; personal freedom.

Abundance of valuable material possessions or resources; affluence.

_4__ Security: Always having enough money to pay the bills and afford basic creature comforts.

_1__ Power :

Possession of control, authority, or influence over others.

__5_ Morality:

The belief in and keeping of ethical standards.

__5_ Love:

Affection based on admiration or benevolence; warm attachment,

enthusiasm, or devotion; unselfish devotion that freely accepts another
and seeks that others good.

_3__ Aesthetics:

The appreciation and enjoyment of beauty for beautys sake.

__5_ Health:

The condition of being sound in body; freedom from physical disease or

pain; the general condition of the body; well-being.

_4__ Skill:

The ability to use ones knowledge effectively and readily in execution of

performance; having technical expertise.

_4__ Emotional
Well Being:

Freedom from overwhelming anxieties and barriers effective functioning;

peace of mind; inner security; self respect.

__4_ Knowledge:

The seeking of truth, information, or principles for the satisfaction of

curiosity, for use, or for the power of knowing.

___5 Spirituality:

A focus upon matters of the soul; communion with, obedience to, or

activity in behalf of a higher being.

_5__ Loyalty:

Maintaining allegiance to a person, group, institution, or political entity.

_5__ Family:

Maintaining strong relationships with spouse or partner, children, and

family of origin; commitment to the wellbeing of family members.

_5__ Friendship:

Experiencing a deep sense of trust with another that results in emotional

intimacy and easy companionship.

3___ Creativity:

The ability to be original or imaginative, to go beyond existing paradigms;

the power to create, express, or produce something new.

OTHERS:

Make it a point to find a way to honor your 4s and 5s in your personal and professional life. Repeat
this exercise every 5-10 years and make sure your career is keeping up with your personal growth!

ENFJ
Extravert(10%) iNtuitive(6%) Feeling(47%) Judging(53%)
You have slight preference of Extraversion over Introversion (10%)
You have slight preference of Intuition over Sensing (6%)
You have moderate preference of Feeling over Thinking (47%)
You have moderate preference of Judging over Perceiving (53%)