What does "professional values" encompass in nursing practice?

In nursing practice, "professional values" encompasses ethical principles, accountability, and maintaining patient dignity. These values form the foundation of nursing and guide practitioners in delivering high-quality care. Ethical principles, such as beneficence (doing good), non-maleficence (doing no harm), autonomy (respecting patients' rights), and justice (fair treatment), are crucial in decision-making and establishing trust with patients.

Accountability reflects the responsibility nurses have for their actions and the care they provide. It ensures that they are answerable for their decisions and are committed to ongoing professional development and standards of care. Maintaining patient dignity is paramount; this involves respecting patients' wishes, privacy, and preferences, which fosters a compassionate and respectful healthcare environment.

While technical skills and knowledge of medicine are essential for providing care, they do not encompass the broader ethical and moral obligations integral to nursing. Similarly, workplace relationships and team dynamics, as well as volunteerism and community involvement, are important aspects of the nursing profession but do not specifically define the core values that guide practice at its ethical and moral level.