Nurses and nursing students need to examine the values they hold about life, death, health and illness. One strategy for gaining awareness of personal values is to consider one’s attitudes about specific issues such as abortion or euthanasia asking: “Can I accept this, or live with this?” “Why does this bother me?” “What would I do or want done in this situation?” Nurses use critical thinking to reflect on various viewpoints and previous experiences that may have influenced their own current values.
Rate each of these items as either 1= Things I value very much 2= Things I value 3= Things I don’t value very much
Rating
Help SocietyDo something which contributes to improving the world we live in
Help OthersBe directly included in helping other people, either individually or in small groups
Work EthicsFeeling satisfied from a job well done
Enjoyment of lifeEnjoying life, having fun in life
HonestyBeing able to tell people what I really think and believe; having them be honest with me
ApprovalHaving other people like me
CompetitionEngage in activities which pit my abilities against others
Make DecisionsHave the power to decide courses of action
RespectHaving other people think highly of me and hold me in good esteem
LeadershipBe in a positon to influence the attitudes or opinions of other people
KnowledgeUnderstanding gained through study and/or experiences
Work MasteryBecome an expert in whatever work I do
PeaceLiving in a peaceful, harmonious society and environment
CreativityHave the opportunity to create new things, ideas, products, works of art
FreedomBeing able to do or say what I want
Good CharacterKnowing inside that I do the right, moral, just thing
LoyaltySticking with people who are close to me and/or believe what I do
JusticeBeing fair and just and having others treat me fairly and justly
StabilityHave a routine and duties that are largely predictable
SafetyBe assured of being safe and free from harm
RecognitionBe publicly recognized
ChildrenHaving happy, healthy children
ExcitementExperience a high degree of (or frequent) excitement
AdventureHave duties which require frequent risk-taking
PowerHaving authority over others
Economic SecurityHaving enough money to buy whatever I want
LeisureHaving time for hobbies, sports, or other activities
Inner harmonyBeing at peace with one’s self
WealthProfit, gain, making a lot of money
TrustworthinessHaving people trust me and being able to rust them
ChallengeDo activities that use my physical and/or mental capabilities
IndependenceBe able to determine the nature of my day without significant direction from others
Change and VarietyVaried, frequently changing responsibilities and settings
More FulfillmentFee that whatever I do contributes to a set of moral standards that I feel are very important
CommunityBeing a part of a close and supportive community
CaringExperiencing love and attention daily
HealthBeing free from disease or sickness, feeling good physically
Religion/SpiritualityDoing what’s right according to my religious and/or spiritual beliefs
FamilyMaking sure my family members are safe and healthy
FriendshipHaving good, reliable friends I can count on
My Five Most Essential Values- List your top five essential values (from those you rated 1 above).