The Perceptions of Professional Values among Students at a Spanish Nursing School

Abstract

(1) Background: This study aims to reflect student nurses’ perceptions of professional values across the four training years. (2) Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study; data were collected using the Nurses’ Professional Values Scale-Revised, adapted by Basurto-Hoyuelos. A total of 315 student nurses participated from a Nursing Faculty in Spain representing each of the four academic years. (3) Results: Students’ perceptions of professional values were significantly correlated with their academic year. Overall, students’ scores were higher in the ethics dimension. The two highest scores were for Maintain patient confidentiality for years 1 and 2 (4.77 and 4.68, respectively) and Safeguard patients’ right to privacy for years 3 and 4 (4.95 and 4.98, respectively). Lower scores were observed in the professional expertise dimension across all years, and corresponded to a single item Participate in peer review (3.51, 3.38, 3.98, and 3.26, respectively). (4) Conclusions: This study is relevant as it highlights how nursing students’ perceptions of professional values change overtime, even during the four years of their training. The ethics dimension was the most highly regarded across all academic years. However, the professional expertise dimension requires greater attention throughout the degree as students regarded it as less important for their immediate future.

"Perception of Palestinian Undergraduate Nursing and Midwifery Students About Professional Values: A Cross-Sectional Study"

“…It is significance that nurse educators, faculty members and instructors understand baccalaureate nursing students' perceptions of the importance of the code of conduct and the technical difficulties in implementing it though preparing them for future practice of nursing. According to the Palestinian Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (2014), the Code of Conduct includes the following principles: altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice [11]. In accordance, one of the major nursing education standard or outcome in relation to professional values in higher education in Palestine is aimed that students and graduates should exhibit ethical behavior and understands and follow professional values.…”

Professional values in student nurse education: An integrative literature review

“…One such study in Taiwan demonstrated students perceived increase in the importance of all listed professional values in 94 nursing students measured at the beginning and end of their education using NPVS-R. 34 Similarly, a Spanish study of 315 students across 4 years found significant correlation with progression in academic years to increasing importance of professional values. 35 Research using the same tool in Israel with 261 students from all years confirmed this, with clear increases noted from junior to senior students. 36 While this research does not include information on educational programmes, it does demonstrate the impact of a shared educational experience and supports the notion of nursing education contributing to professional value development.…”

“…Researchers propose this phenomenon is attributable to students’ idealism being lost as they grapple with the realities of the work environment. 6,35 Professional values then rise again as students adjusted to the pressures and expectations of their role , 35,38,39 progressed in their confidence and skills and gained the ability to delegate. 40,41…”

“…Researchers propose this phenomenon is attributable to students' idealism being lost as they grapple with the realities of the work environment. 6,35 Professional values then rise again as students adjusted to the pressures and expectations of their role , 35,38,39 progressed in their confidence and skills and gained the ability to delegate. 40,41 Insight into these changes is provided in a longitudinal study published over three papers which explored the values of students who have been part of values-based recruitment (VBR) in the UK.…”

Professional values and ethical sensitivities of student nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Several studies have been conducted before the pandemic regarding professional values (Ayaz‐Alkaya et al., 2018 ; Aydin Ayla et al., 2018 ; Bleda et al., 2020 ; Paşalak et al., 2021 ; Poorchangizi et al., 2019 ) and ethical sensitivities (Bayrak Aykan et al., 2019 ; Hançerlioğlu, et al., 2020 ; Hoseini et al., 2020 ; Kilic Akca et al., 2017 ) of nursing students. However, there is a gap in the literature about how the professional values and ethical sensitivity of newly qualified nurses are affected during the COVID‐19 pandemic.…”