Empowering:

Nurses Core Values

In the Philippines

In partial fulfillment of the requirements in

Foundation of Nursing (MAN).

Submitted by:
Franzeen Grace S. Palac

EMPOWERING: Nurses Core Values in the Philippines

Abstract:
Nursing is a caring profession. Caring encompasses empathy for and connection with
people. Teaching and role-modeling caring is a nursing curriculum challenge. Caring is best
demonstrated by a nurse's ability to embody the five core values of professional nursing. Core
nursing values essential to baccalaureate education include human dignity, integrity, autonomy,
altruism, and social justice. The caring professional nurse integrates these values in clinical
practice. Strategies for integrating and teaching core values are outlined and outcomes of valuebased nursing education are described. Carefully integrated values education ensures that the
legacy of caring behavior embodied by nurses is strengthened for the future nursing workforce.

Nurses, owing to their philosophy and their approach, are inspired by the concept of
empowerment during the selflessness towards the pursuit of a higher good. The aim of this
concept is to explain the concept of empowering and then to analyze it in relation to nurses,
particularly during the delivery of safe and quality health care for the patients. In light of the
analysis of the empowerment of nurses core values are defined as follows: starting with a
relationship that is based on a partnership between the nurses, the patient and the hospital
administrators, empowering is an intentional process of sharing knowledge, value, and power,
which contributes to a nurses will and ability to make choices that are in harmony with her
values, while enabling the nurse to confidently undertake the actions that ensue from the services
rendered. The application of the concept of empowering the nurses core values emphasizes that
this approach induces and incites courage which implies a strong heart in the face of danger and
difficulty. Furthermore, empowering does not occur without contributions from each of the
partners. A few questions are raised in regards to the application of the concept of empowering in
the framework of a nurses practice that is expanding in our country.

Introduction:

Nurses in Philippines, is based on a philosophy that puts the emphasis on respecting the
individuality of each patient during their hospital experience. Furthermore, nurses consider
promotion of health to be essential to the hospitalization of the patients.
Nursing profession is leading profession that is highly demanded. The expanded
recruitment of nurses will yield an added benefit of enriching diversity, which in turn will
increase the percentage of nurses who reflect the cultural backgrounds of their patients and
improve patient care.
This unprecedented diversified nursing workforce would represent not only cultural and
racial differences, but includes variation among many parameters, such as age, ethnicity, gender,
national origin, life style, and sexual orientations. It is necessary to bridge these differences
among nurses of varied backgrounds so that they can identify with a common nursing ideology
and mission. This process may involve modifying old personal and professional values and
internalizing new ones (Farenwald et al., 2005).
Attitudes towards offering help and accepting help, essential aspects of altruistic
behavior, are shaped by an individual's cultural experiences, attitudes, and background. When
viewed from a cultural perspective, variations must be identified and explored before applying
this value to nurses' experience. Nurses were encouraged to consider altruism in their own life
experiences and to reflect on how it might inform their future behaviors. They responded to this
exploration with curiosity and enthusiasm, and described feeling inspired by the examples of

their heads as well as current and past nursing leaders. The varied and rich opportunities for
altruism in nursing, not necessarily apparent previously, emerged as important, newly recognized
sources of meaning and satisfaction. For many, this concept of a concern for others as a
motivation in nursing was a new one. Many nurses were aware that nursing was a "helping
profession", but most had not viewed themselves, their peers, or the faculty as altruistic.
Basic Concepts:

CARING: A culture of caring, as a fundamental part of the nursing profession,

characterizes our concern and consideration for the whole person, our commitment to the
common good, and our outreach to those who are vulnerable. All organizational activities
are managed in a participative and person-centered way, demonstrating an ability to
understand the needs of others and a commitment to act always in the best interests of all
stakeholders
INTEGRITY: A culture of integrity is evident when organizational principles of open
communication, ethical decision-making, and humility are encouraged, expected, and
demonstrated consistently. Not only is doing the right thing simply how we do business,
but our actions reveal our commitment to truth telling and to how we always see
ourselves from the perspective of others in a larger community.
DIVERSITY: A culture of diversity embraces acceptance, respect, and inclusivity. We
understand that each individual is unique and recognize individual differences, which can
be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic
status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. A
culture of diversity is about understanding ourselves and each other and moving beyond
simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the richness of each individual. While
diversity can be about individual differences, it also encompasses institutional and
system-wide behavior patterns. We must always remember that diversity without
inclusivity lacks action, representing a missed opportunity.
EXCELLENCE: A culture of excellence reflects a commitment to continuous growth,
improvement, and understanding. It is a culture where transformation is embraced, and
the status quo and mediocrity are not tolerated.

Nursing Metaparadigms:

Person
Person is defined as a human being has the right to be informed and make decisions.
The needs of our patients and their families guide our nursing care.
Health
The ability to attain the highest possible level of health and well-being.
Environment
Fostering an environment that promotes respect, positive communication, and
collaboration among all members of the patient/family/healthcare team.

Nursing
Nurses provide safe, compassionate, competent and ethical care.
Committed to excellence in nursing by creating a culture of lifelong learning that
integrates evidence-based practice, research and professional development.

Conclusion

This concept was influenced through the understanding of human activities - acting,
thinking, and feeling.