Value and Value clarification

• Values refer to individual beliefs that are considered worthwhile or important of which we
hold in high esteem.
• They are principles, standards or qualities we believe in that we considered valuables and
attach much importance to or those things we are against and will do everything possible to
avoid at all cost.
• These values are strong factors that influence people’s decision and contribute significantly
to the attainment of their goals
• Values are individual beliefs that motivate people to act one way or another different from
others which serve as a guide for human behavior.
• Generally, people are predisposed to adopt the values that they are raised with and believe
that those values are “right” because they are rooted in of their culture.
• Ethical decision-making often involves weighing and considering values against each other
and deciding on which values to uphold.
• Conflicts can result when people have different values, leading to a clash of preferences and
priorities.
• Some values are considered sacred and are moral imperatives for those who believe in
them which make them not to be compromised for any reasons because they are perceived
as duties rather than as mere factors involved decision-making.
• For example, for some people, their nation’s flag may represent a sacred value. But for
others, the flag may just be a piece of cloth. So, whether values are sacred, have intrinsic
worth, or are a means to an end, values vary among individuals and across cultures and
time.
• However values are universally recognized as a driving force in ethical decision-making.
• They differ from person to person and as a nurse, it is critical to have good knowledge and
understanding of the concepts for effective patients and clients care, hence, clarifying our
own values from that of others put us in better position to relate well with others and
provide quality and acceptable care.
• Sometimes, values are often taken for granted and may not be considered during care and
decision making, leading to misunderstanding and poor judgment
• Some values are influenced intrinsic worth, such as love, truth, and freedom while others
are based on factors such as ambition, responsibility, and courage, describe traits or
behaviors that are instrumental as means to an end
 Sources of value
• People form their values from varying sources some of which include but not limited to
Family, Personality trait, Peer group, Media, Religion, Culture, Society
• Attitudes are closely tie to individual value system which are the views of opinion that are
formed by value and beliefs.
• These values can be influenced by other extrinsic and intrinsic factors such as religion,
education, culture and personal experiences
• Although, values consists of freely chosen and enduring beliefs, and attitudes, but beliefs and
attitudes are closely related but not the same as values, rather, values are based on them
• Belief which is same as opinion is an interpretation or conclusion that one accepts to be true,
influences mostly by faith/religion rather than facts or evidenced based which may not be true
and beliefs may not necessarily have any connection with ones values
 Value clarification
• Value clarification is the process of recognizing and sorting out ones beliefs and personal
values from that of others and those of the larger society through identification of ones values
and prioritizing it for effective decision making.
• It is therefore necessary to explore other people’s value and allow them to express their
opinion about any issue of concern to identify possible differences that could negatively
influence the outcome of decision making.
• Individual views and opinion may change from time to time based on prevailing
circumstances as they are exposed to different people and cultural perspectives
Steps in value clarification
• Identification of personal values
• Prioritization of personal values(organizing sets of value internally along a continuum from
most considered important to least important, forming a value system)
• Defense of personal values
• Use of values to guide behavior
• Nurses are expected to be value neutral and be non-judgmental in their professional roles and
be fully committed to clients needs and welfare irrespective of their value differences
• Client value should guide the decision and plan of care and when a client holds an unclear or
conflicting value that are detrimental to health, value clarification should be utilized as an
intervention. Example; client ignoring health advice, displaying inconsistency
communication or unhealthy behavior, neglecting medical instructions, confused or uncertain
about a decision to take
Notes: values are freely choose ,enduring belief or attitude
• Beliefs are opinion, feelings or interpretation or conclusion accepted to be true
• Attitude is the placement of feelings towards an idea, concept ,person or things.
• They are mental disposition towards a concept which continues over time while belief may
last only briefly. Attitude are often judged as good or bad while belief are either correct or
incorrect
• Attitudes involves both thinking and behavior, but feelings are important component because
they vary among individuals
 Types of values
There are six basic types
• Theoretical value: Treasure truth and tends to be empirical, critical, factual and
rational and maintain good records
• Economic value: effective use of resources and hates wastage
• Aesthetic value: primarily concern with beauty, tidiness, harmony and
orderliness
• Social value: treasure human relationship in terms of positive interaction like
love, kindness, sympathy etc
• Political value: values political power and have much interest in leading and
controlling others as well as teamwork
• Religious value: has much respect for spirituality and unity as well as
disconnectedness with higher powers
• Although each person’s value is unique but can be blend of many values,
however, one must predominate, hence, value clarification will help in
providing quality care by knowing how individual perceives things and
 Essential nursing values and behavior
• Altruism: concerned with welfare of others, caring, commitment,
compassion generous and persevere.
-They require full attention when receiving care and assist other personnel in
providing care when they unable to do so
- Express concern about social trends and issues that have implication for health
care
• Equality: having same rights, privileges or status.
- Acceptance,assertiveness,fairness,self esteem and tolerance
- provide individualized care based on need assessment irrespective of personal
characteristics
- interact with other providers in a non-discriminatory manner
-express ideas about the improvement of access to nursing and health care
• Aesthetic: qualities of objects,events and persons that provide satisfaction.
Appreciation,creativity,imagination and sensitivity
- adapt the care environment to suite the recipient and make the environment
pleasant and therapeutic for care giver and client
-present self in light of positive image of nursing
• Freedom: capacity to exercise choice
Confidence,openness,hopeful,independence,self direction and discipline
- respect individual right and supports the right of others to suggest alternatives
to the plan of care(flexibility)
- encourage open discussion on controversial issues in the profession
• Human dignity: inherent worth and uniqueness of individual
Consideration,empathy,humanness,kindness,respectful and trust
- safeguard individual rights to privacy and respect,ensure confidentiality,and
treat all with dignity and respect irrespective of class and status(equality)
• Justice: upholding moral and legal principles
- Accountability, authenticity, honesty, inquisitiveness, rationality and
effectiveness
- accurate documentation, good assessment for sound judgments before
reporting infractions of organizational policies, actively involve in protection of
public from misinformation about nursing