CORE BELIEFS AND VALUES
The following personal values are essential to everyday nursing and possess timeless relevance.
Belief Statement
In my role as a nurse, I assert that integrating the principles of accountability, respect, honesty, and integrity into my practice is essential for cultivating trust with my patients. This approach not only strengthens therapeutic relationships but also enhances open communication and improves patient outcomes within the healthcare environment. By adhering to these values, I create an atmosphere where patients feel secure in expressing their pain, sharing significant cultural and spiritual aspects of their care, and engaging actively in their treatment plans and goals. I contend that these core values are instrumental in delivering trauma-informed care, managing high-conflict situations, addressing sensitive diagnoses, and supporting all patients, irrespective of their required level of care—including those in end-of-life discussions.
4 Personal Values
Accountability
As nurses, we are accountable to the public, our employers, and ourselves. Every decision, every mistake, and every action carries consequences—often made worse by covering up or being untruthful. This value is crucial because, ultimately, the nurse must be competent in their actions and aware of the consequences of performing tasks without the necessary knowledge, skill, and judgement. Nurses frequently face high-stress and unsafe working conditions, yet we cannot allow these challenges to excuse neglecting protocols designed for public safety. Accountability means taking responsibility, asking questions for clarity, avoiding assumptions, and understanding potential side effects before initiating treatments. Competence and accountability go hand in hand, forming the foundation of self-regulation in nursing.
Respect
Respect is a fundamental value that I consider to have profound significance. Showing respect for an individual does not necessarily imply agreement with their opinions or the treatment plans they select; rather, it involves setting aside personal biases and beliefs to uphold the values and wishes of patients, thereby strengthening the nurse-client relationship. Furthermore, respecting someone does not preclude the possibility of questioning their thought processes, yet such inquiries must be approached with integrity and genuine intent. Personal respect is also crucial, as it promotes openness towards others and fosters an aura of confidence that can be comforting to patients. My upbringing instilled in me the belief that respect should be earned, not freely given. However, I now contend that respect ought to be extended to everyone, as this practice can enhance positive communication skills, encourage growth, and ultimately support all relationships within the healthcare setting.
Honesty
Honesty is the value that ties everything else together in nursing. While it seems simple to talk about, being consistently honest can be challenging. I strive to be honest, though I recognize times when I’ve made exceptions. For example, with some cognitively impaired patients who were distressed, I told small “white lies” about their medication—calling it their “heart pill” when it was actually another necessary medication—because they would only accept it under that name. My intention in these situations is always to help the patient, particularly when their understanding of treatment plans is limited, and upsetting them as little as possible is important for their well-being. However, I am unwaveringly honest in my charting, my assessments, and interactions with families, co-workers, and, most importantly, with the patients themselves. Honesty is key to communication that builds trust, and I never make promises I can’t keep. I believe honesty requires sensitivity; while people often seek truth, not everyone is ready to hear it immediately. Some need time to process, and I’ve found that most people ultimately appreciate honesty, even if it takes a few conversations. Transparency with patients and co-workers is both ethical and kind, and it’s a principle I uphold in all my interactions.
Integrity
I have worked hard to cultivate integrity, especially given the challenges of my upbringing. Integrity is essential in nursing, a profession that relies heavily on self-regulation. For me, integrity means being true to myself in all situations, guided by a clear sense of right and wrong, and committed to acting ethically regardless of external pressures. Reflecting on my future as a registered nurse, I am motivated to lead by example for my peers. My years as a registered practical nurse have solidified my commitment to upholding my morals, ethics, and integrity, consistently setting high standards for myself.