Professional values for the bsn student

Professional Values for the BSN _______________________________________ Using this format, prepare a 30 – 50 word response in each box that describes your understanding of the values for the BSN nursing student. Prepare an APA-formatted reference page.
Define:
Identify how nurses demonstrate this value.
Discuss how you demonstrate this value.
Altruism
French philosopher Auguste Comte (1851) has defined altruism as ‘ self sacrifice for the benefit of others’. The nurses willingly sacrifice their time when the patient requires their help. They are highly devoted to the cause of alleviating pain and providing an encouraging environment of hope for the patients and their family.
I have an intrinsic sense of responsibility that ensures understanding and cooperation among the colleagues whether they are junior or seniors. I also try to ensure that patients’ need is always at the priority over personal requirements. The empathetic attitude and understanding of cross cultural values greatly facilitate in overcoming the language barriers. I therefore, strive to understand my patient’s cultural paradigms and learn to communicate in a manner that would promote mutual trust.
Autonomy
According to Raz (1986), personal autonomy means that the person ‘ holds the free choice of goals and relations as an essential ingredient of individual well-being’. Autonomy empowers a person with informed choices instilling self confidence in one’s ability to make independent decisions about themselves and their welfare. Hence, an empowered nurse has more options and freedom to transform those choices into concrete action plans for the betterment of self and the patients at large.
I am person who is highly motivated towards social issues which need to be reformed to suit the demands of the changing times. I firmly believe that each person, must be empowered so that they are better equipped to make independent choices. Carter says that one should be ‘ acting on what you have discerned, even at personal cost’ (1996). I therefore, like to work with the proactive participation of the patients and if required, involve patient’s family in the rehabilitation process.
Human Dignity
Human dignity broadly recognizes that ‘ inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world’ (EU charter). Nurses make sure that caring for human beings, cuts across class divide, status, race and culture. The core of nursing involves dedicated and ethically delivered care to the medically sick persons.
I personally believe that the nursing professional helps to understand human relations at the critical juncture of human vulnerability. For me my patients are just human beings who need to be cared for. Through personal care, compassion and positive attitude, I try to facilitate their recovery by instilling optimism and efficiently taking care of their health related needs.
Integrity
Integrity can be broadly defined as ‘ holding true to commitments’ (Stanford. edu). Personal values are intrinsic part of one’s personality and which promote personal integrity in one’s profession. Hence, tender care of the nurses is displayed in their patience and ministrations which become for responsible alleviating anxiety and tension of the patient and his family.
Ethical and moral values are important part of my personality. I am committed to the welfare of the patients. I apply informed choice, understanding and empathy that promotes mutual trust and confidence building with the patients.
Social Justice
‘ The idea of social justice is founded on the principles of equal worth of all; entitlement of all to income, shelter and other basic necessities; opportunities and life chances for all; and reducing/ eliminating unjust inequalities’ (scvo, 2003). Nurses take especial care to understand the cross cultural values to develop better nurse- patient relationship. They inculcate positive attitude and cheerfulness amongst patients and their family.
I make efforts to understand the patients’ value system. It not only helps me to alleviate the worries and tensions of the parents and their families but also helps to guide them through an emotionally challenging journey at the most crucial time of their life.

Reference
Auguste Comte. (1851). Altruism. Available from: [Accessed 13 January, 2010].
Carter, Stephen. (1996). Integrity. New York. Harper Collins.
EU Charter. Human Dignity. Available from: http://www. eucharter. org/home. php? page_id= 8> [Accessed 13 January, 2010].
Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy. (2008). Integrity. Available from: [Accessed 13 January, 2010].
Raz, Joseph. (1986). The Morality of Freedom. New York: Oxford University Press.
SCVO Briefing. (2003). Social Justice: Unpacking The Equalities dimension. Available from: [Accessed 13 January, 2010].