A conceptual framework of the resemblance in self-leadership and professional core values of nurses in the South African context

Abstract

In a country such as South Africa with its widely diverse values and belief systems, it could be a challenge to bring about a common understanding of professionalism amongst nurses in a multicultural society. When novice nurses enter the profession, they are confronted by the core values in nursing professionalism in an environment that sometimes lacks leadership by senior nurse practitioners. It was thus decided to explore the resemblance in the concept of self-leadership and the professional values of nursing. Values influence professional practice and commitment and, therefore, principal leadership qualities and functions are to influence oneself to develop a shared service commitment, to nurture and foster the confidence in one’s own capacity, and the ability to make a valuable contribution to nursing practice. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe a conceptual framework on self–leadership and the resemblance with inherent core professional values in nursing. Literature about self-leadership, professionalism, and professional values, in a global context, was explored. A conceptual framework emerged, since the researchers discovered that self-leadership qualities corresponded with professional core values required by novice nurses to be able to deliver quality nursing care. For the young nurse entering the nursing profession, the professional values are often tacit which prevent nurses from recognising their self-leadership qualities in order to act and behave accordingly. This review article could contribute to a common understanding, not previously explored, amongst nurse educators and nurse practitioners of the resemblance between self-leadership and core professional values to prepare novice nurses for professional nursing practice in a multicultural society.