VIRTUES, VICES AND HABITS

OF A HEALTH CARE
PROVIDER

PREPARED BY: JEFFREY A. IWAG, RN, LPT, MMHA

ACTIVITY:

SELF-REFLECTION
WHAT VICE/S ARE YOU EASILY PRONE TO COMMIT
AND HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THESE VICE/S?
INTRODUCTION:

THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSION DOES EXIST NOT ONLY BY

OPERATIONS OF LAW, BUT ALSO BY APPLICATION OF VALUE-
BASED ETHICS AND THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUES. IN A LEGALLY-
BASED ETHICS, A PROFESSIONAL HAS TO MEET MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS OF APPLICABLE LAWS THAT DEFINE THE
EXTENT OF HIS/HER ADMINISTRATIVE, CIVIL, OR CRIMINAL
LIABILITIES.
VIRTUES OF THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

VIRTUE IS REFERRED TO AS A PARTICULAR MORAL

EXCELLENCE. IT IS SYNONYMOUS TO UPRIGHTNESS OR
INTEGRITY. IT IS SIMPLY A PRAISEWORTHY TRAIT OF
HUMAN CHARACTER OR CHARACTER TRAIT THAT IS
MORALLY VALUED. IT IS A WAY OF ACTIONS, A DISPOSITION,
OR A GOOD HABIT.
LIST OF VIRTUES
1. FIDELITY
2. HONESTY
3. INTEGRITY
4. HUMILITY
5. RESPECT
6. COMPASSION
7. PRUDENCE
8. COURAGE
FIDELITY

IT IS REFERRED TO STEADFAST FAITHFULNESS. IT IS ASSOCIATED

WITH PLEDGE OF LOYALTY OR PRACTICE KEEPING PROMISES. A
SPONTANEOUSLY AND CONSISTENTLY SHOW IN THEIR PERSONAL
AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE THEIR WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT IN
UPHOLDING APPLICABLE LAWS, CODE OF ETHICS, POLICIES, AND
PROMISES ENTERED INTO WITH CLIENTS/PATIENTS. LIKEWISE,
FAITHFULNESS ASSOCIATED WITH LOYALTY IN THE PROFESSIONAL-
CLIENT RELATIONSHIP “ GIVES RISE TO AN INDEPENDENT DUTY TO
KEEP CONTRACT “ IN FORCE AND EFFECT.
HONESTY

IT MEANS THE QUALITY OF BEING HONORABLE AND UPRIGHT IN

CHARACTER AND ACTIONS. IT EMPHASIZES FAIRNESS AND
UPRIGHTNESS IN RELATIONS WITH OTHERS. REFUSAL TO STEAL,
TELLING A LIE, OR MAKING MISREPRESENTATION. TO BE FAIR,
UPRIGHT, AND STRAIGHTFORWARD IS TO BE HONEST WITH ONESELF
IN HIS/HER HUMAN ACTS.
INTEGRITY
THE VIRTUE OF INTEGRITY MEANS UPRIGHTNESS IN CHARACTER
AND ACTIONS. IT IMPLIES OR UNBROKEN CONDITIONS,
COMPLETENESS, AND WHOLENESS. IT APPLIES MORE DIRECTLY TO
CHARACTER THAN TO ACTIONS, AND MEANS SOUNDNESS OF
CHARACTER AND POSSESSION OF VERY HIGH STANDARDS OF RIGHT
AND WRONG.
A NURSE OF INTEGRITY CAN BE TRUSTED. HE/SHE CAN EASILY
ATTRACT AND WIN FRIENDSHIP AND RELIANCE FROM HIS/HER
CLIENT/PATIENT.
THE ABSENCE OF INTEGRITY SPLITS THE PERSONALITY OF A NURSE.
HE/SHE PRACTICES THE PROFESSION NOT BECAUSE OF ITS IDEALISM
HUMILITY

HUMILITY IS MEEKNESS OF HEART. A PERSON, WHO IS MEEK, ACTS WITH A

GENTLE SPIRIT. IT CALLS FOR SUBMISSION, DOCILITY, AND COURTESY, IT
IMPLIES FREEDOM FROM PRIDE AND ARROGANCE, LOWLINESS OF MIND, A
MODEST ESTIMATE OF ONE’S WORTH, AND ACCEPTANCE OF ONE’S OWN
HUMAN IMPERFECTION, SINFULNESS, AND SELF-ABASEMENT.
NURSES EPITOMIZE THE WAY HUMILITY WORKS IN THEIR LIFE. NURSING, BY
ITS NATURE, MEANS RENDERING HUMBLE SERVICE TO THE SICK AND NEEDY.
RESPECT
THE VIRTUE OF RESPECT MEANS ESTEEM OR HONOR. ESTEEM OR
HONOR IS A QUALITY BY WHICH A PERSON SHOWS RECOGNITION OR
HIGH REGARD TO SELF-WORTH, SELF-RESPECT WITH DIGNITY,
RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY, AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS WITH
TOLERANCE.
SELF-WORTH SIGNIFIES A FAVORABLE ESTIMATE OR OPINION OF
ONESELF. WHEN ONE KNOWS WELL HIS/HER STRENGTH, AND
CAPABILITIES, AS WELL AS HIS/HER WEAKNESS OR LIMITATIONS, AND
THAT HE/SHE CAN BE A WORTHY INSTRUMENT OF SERVICE FOR
OTHERS.
SELF-RESPECT IS AN APPROPRIATE REGARD FOR ONESELF. IT IS
TO SUSTAIN SELF-RESPECT, ONE MUST TAKE GOOD CARE OF HIS/HER
BODY, MIND, AND EMOTIONS.
RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY IS DUE REGARD TO A PERSON OR PERSON
WITH THE RIGHT TO GIVE COMMANDS AND POWER TO ENFORCE
OBEDIENCE. THESE PERSONS MAY BE NATURAL OR JURIDICAL. IN THE
PHILIPPINE CONTEXT OR JURISDICTION, NATURAL PERSONS IN
AUTHORITY INCLUDE PARENTS, TEACHER, ELECTED AND APPOINTED
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS LIKE BRGY. CHAIRMAN, MAYORS,
GOVERNORS, JUDGES, JUSTICES, CONGRESSMAN, SENATORS CABINET
SECRETARIES, THE VICE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINE
REPUBLIC. THE JURIDICAL PERSONS MAY INCLUDE CONGRESS OR
PARLIAMENT, AS THE CASE MAY BE, WHO ENACTS LAWS LIKE THE
PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002(R.A. NO. 9173).THE BON AND PNA
PROMULGATES THE NURSING CODE OF ETHICS THAT EMBODIES THE
RESPECT FOR OTHERS MAY REFER TO DUE REGARD TO IMMEDIATE AND
DISTANT RELATIVES, NEIGHBORS, PEERS, CLASSMATES, FRIENDS, AND
NON-FRIENDS. THESE MAY REFER TO CLIENTS OR PATIENTS WHOM THEY
RESPECT AND TREAT WITH UTMOST CARE, DILIGENCE AND TOLERANCE.
ITS IS A VIRTUE THAT RESPECTS AND UPHOLDS HUMAN RIGHTS. IT
RECOGNIZES DIVERSITY OF CULTURE AND FORMS OF HUMAN
EXPRESSIONS. IT CALLS FOR THE ERADICATION OF BIASES, PREJUDICES,
AND INSENSITIVITY.
COMPASSION
COMPASSION SIGNIFIES SYMPATHY. IT IMPLIES FEELING FOR
ANOTHER’S SORROW OR HARDSHIP THAT LEADS TO HELP OR PITY. TO
BE COMPASSIONATE IS TO WISH TO BE OF HELP TO THOSE WHO
SUFFER AND WHO ARE IN DIRE NEED OF SERVICE. IT IS AN ACT OF
OPENING ONE’S HEART TO TRULY FEEL THE DIFFICULTIES AND
HARDSHIP THAT ANOTHER PERSON IS EXPERIENCING. IT IS
CHARACTERIZES BY RELATED VIRTUES OF LOVE AND CARE,
SYMPATHY, KINDNESS, AND CONCERN FOR OTHERS. COMPASSION
MUST BE IN THE VEIN OF NURSES IN HIS/HER PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL LIFE IN ORDER THAT THE RELATION OR DEALING
PRUDENCE
THE VIRTUE SIGNIFIES CAREFULNESS, PRECAUTION, ATTENTIVENESS,
AND GOOD JUDGEMENT AS APPLIED TO ACTION OR CONDUCT. THIS
TERM, IN LEGAL PARLANCE, IS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH
“CARE” AND “DILIGENCE”. AND CONTRASTED WITH “NEGLIGENCE”.
IN HEALTH CARE PROFESSION, THIS VIRTUE IS A TALL ORDER,
CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THESE PROFESSIONALS, LIKE
PHYSICIANS AND NURSES, DEALS WITH HUMAN LIFE. IN IN THEIR
DECISION-MAKING PROCESS OR JUDGEMENT, THEY EITHER MAKE OR
BREAK, LET LIVE OR LET DIE THEIR PATIENTS. TO BE INSTRUMENT OF
HEALTHY AND LONG HUMAN LIFE, AND NOT TO BE CAUSE OF
UNDESIRABLE LOSS OF IT.
COURAGE

THE VIRTUE SIGNIFIES BRAVERY AND FEARLESSNESS. HOWEVER,

COURAGE APPLIES TO MORAL STRENGTH THAT MAKES A PERSON
FACE ANY DANGER, TROUBLE, OR PAIN STEADILY AND WITHOUT
SHOWING FEAR. A KIND OF COURAGE THAT IS SHOWN BY BOLD,
FEARLESS, AND DARING ACTION IN THE PRESENCE OF DANGER. IT IS
MORE OF A STATE OR QUALITY OF MIND AND SPIRIT.
VICES OF THE HEALTH CARE
PROVIDER
A VICE IS AN EVIL FAULT, AN IMPERFECTION, AN IMMORAL
CONDUCT, TENDENCY, PRACTICE, OR HABIT. APPLIED TO AN
ANIMAL NATURE OF A PERSON, IT IS A BAD HABIT OR FAILING.
THE HUMAN PERSON IS A RATIONAL ANIMAL, THIS PHILOSOPHICAL
PERSPECTIVE MAKES HIM/HER A LIVING PARADOX. THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF ANIMALITY PUT HIM/HER DOWN TO THE
LEVEL OF THE BRUTE. AS SUCH, HIS/HER ACTS MOVE TOWARDS EVIL
OR VICIOUS LIFE. AN “ACTS OF HUMAN” THAT INFLUENCE OR
DICTATE BY THE REPTILIAN BRAIN. ALL PERSONS INCLUDING THE
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ARE SUBJECT TO THIS HUMAN
IMPERFECTION, AND ARE PRONE TO THE COMMISSION OF VICES.
THIS VICES MAY INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING
1. FRAUD
2. PRIDE
3. GREED
FRAUD
IT EMBRACES ALL DIVERSE MEANS THAT HUMAN INGENUITY CAN DEVISE, AND
WHICH ARE RESORTED TO BY ONE INDIVIDUAL TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OVER
ANOTHER BY MISREPRESENTATIONS, FALSE SUGGESTIONS, OR BY SUPPRESSION OF
TRUTH. IT ALSO INCLUDES SURPRISE, TRICK, CLEVERNESS IN DECEIVING, PRETENSE,
DISGUISE, AND ANY UNFAIR WAY BY WHICH ANOTHER IS CHEATED.
FRAUD IS EITHER ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTIVE. IT IS SOMETHING SAID, DONE, OR
OMITTED BY A PERSON WITH THE DESIGN TO PERPETRATE WHAT HE/SHE KNOWS TO
BE A CHEAT OR DECEPTION.
THE CONSTRUCTIVE FRAUD, ON THE OTHER HAND, CONSISTS IN ANY ACT OF
COMMISSION OR OMISSION CONTRARY TO LEGAL OR ETHICAL DUTY, TRUST, OR
CONFIDENCE REPOSED. IT IS CONTRARY, AS WELL, TO GOOD CONSCIENCE AND
OPERATES TO THE INJURY OF ANOTHER.
IN RELATION TO THE NURSING PROFESSION, A NURSE MAT BE GUILTY
OF AND PENALIZED FOR FRAUD AS DEFINED BY THE PHILIPPINE
NURSING ACT OF 2002 (R.A. 9173) IN THE FOLLOWING INSTANCES:

• HE/SHE PRACTICES NURSING IN THE PHILIPPINES WITHOUT A CERTIFICATE OF

REGISTRATION/PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION
CARD OR SPECIAL TEMPORARY PERMIT, OR WITHOUT HAVING BEEN DECLARED
EXEMPTED FROM EXAMINATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISION OF R.A.
9173.
• HE/SHE USES THE CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION, PROFESSIONAL LICENSE,
PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION, AND/OR SPECIAL TEMPORARY PERMIT OF
ANOTHER.
• HE/SHE USES AN INVALID CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION/PROFESSIONAL
LICENSE, A SUSPENDED OR REVOKED CERTIFICATE/LICENSE, OR AN EXPIRED OR
CANCELLED SPECIAL TEMPORARY PERMIT.
• HE/SHE GIVES ANY FALSE EVIDENCE TO THE BOARD IN ORDER TO
OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION/LICENSE, PROFESSIONAL
ID, OR SPECIAL PERMIT.
• HE/SHE FALSELY POSES OR ADVERTISE AS A REGISTERED AND
LICENSED NURSE, OR USES ANY OTHER MEANS THAT TEND TO
CONVEY THE IMPRESSION THAT HE/SHE IS A REGISTERED AND
LICENSE NURSE.
• HE/SHE APPENDS BSN, RN (BACHELOR IN NURSING, REGISTERED
NURSE), OR ANY SIMILAR APPENDAGE TO HIS/HER NAME WITHOUT
HAVING BEEN CONFERRED TO SAID DEGREES OR REGISTRATION
• HE/SHE, AS A REGISTERED AND LICENSE NURSE, ABETS OR ASSIST
THE ILLEGAL PRACTICE OF A PERSON WHO IS NOT LAWFULLY
QUALIFIED TO PRACTICE NURSING.
PRIDE
PRIDE IS ANTONYMOUS TO THE VIRTUE OF HUMILITY. IT IS
SYNONYMOUS TO CONCEIT WHICH BOTH MEAN A HIGH OPINION OF
ONESELF. IT IS SYNONYMOUS TO VANITY, THAT IS TOO MUCH PRIDE
IN ONE’S LOOKS, ABILITIES, OR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. EXCESSIVE
SELF-LOVE AND ARROGANCE BECAUSE OF IMAGINED SUPERIORITY.
AS NURSES IF YOUR PERSONAL LIFE IS CLOTHED WITH PRIDE AND
CONCEIT, THEN NURSING PROFESSION IS NOT MEANT FOR YOU
BECAUSE WE ARE CALLED TO LIVE WITH UTMOST HUMILITY, IN
HUMBLE SERVICE TO THE SICK, DISABLED, DISTURBED, THE WEAK
AND POWERLESS.
GREED

THE VICE IS THE QUALITY OF WANTING MORE THAN ONE’S SHARE. TO BE

GREEDY MEANS TO WANT OR DESIRE MORE THAN WHAT HE/SHE NEEDS.
GREED IS ANONYMOUS TO THE VIRTUE OF SIMPLICITY, WHICH IS THE
ABSENCE OF OR FREEDOM FROM LUXURY, VANITY AND ANY FORM OF GREED.
AS NURSES WE MUST BECOME AN EPITOME OF A SIMPLE LIFE THAT THE SICK,
DISABLED AND THE DEPRIVED OR NEEDY WILL LOOK UP TO WITH HOPE.
HABITS OF A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

THE LAW OF REPETITION, AS APPLIED IN EDUCATION, REQUIRES THAT ONE DO THING

AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL HE/SHE LEARNS. STUDENTS UNDERTAKE ROUTINES IN
SCHOOL, AT HOME AND IN OTHER PLACES DOING SAME THING THEY DID YESTERDAY,
THE PREVIOUS DAY, AND EVERYDAY FOR THE LAST SEMESTER OR WHOLE ACADEMIC
YEAR, MOST OF YOUR STUDENT LIFE IS HABITUAL, LIKE WITH NURSES DO THINGS
ROUTINELY AND MOST OF THE TIME, THEY ARE HARDLY AWARE THAT THEY HAVE
HABITS.
WHAT IS HABIT?

“ SOW A THOUGH, AND YOU REAP AN ACT;

SOW AN ACT, AND YOU REAP A HABIT;
SOW A HABIT, AND YOU REAP A CHARACTER;
SOW A CHARACTER, AND YOU REAP A DESTINY.”
HABIT IS ALSO UNDERSTOOD AS INCLINATION TO PERFORM SOME
PARTICULAR ACTION, ACQUIRED BY REPETITION, AND
CHARACTERIZED BY DECREASED POWER OF RESISTANCE AND AN
INCREASED FACILITY OF PERFORMANCE.

FOR THIS REASON, GOOD HABITS IN AND BAD HABITS OUT WILL BE
A TALL ORDER
BAD HABITS
IS A NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR PATTERN THAT MAY BE EQUIVALENT TO
VICE

SEVEN COMMON BAD HABITS

1. REACTIVE- HE/SHE BLAMES EVERYBODY ELSE AND ONLY DOES ANYTHING IN
RESPONSE TO WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE.
2. BEGIN WITH ON END IN MIND- ONE DOES NOT BELIEVE IN PLANNING OR IN
HAVING VISION-MISSION GOALS, WHATEVER WILL BE, WILL BE. ONLY
CONCERNED OF HERE-AND NOW.
3. PUT FIRST THINGS LAST- ONE DOES NOT HAVE PRIORITIES, DOES WHATEVER
COMES, AND IMPORTANT THING CAN WAIT FOR TOMORROW. IT IS A “MANANA
HABIT”
4.THINK WIN-LOSE- ONE SEES LIFE AS SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.
COMPETES TO WIN AND MAKES SURE OTHERS LOSE BY ALL MEANS. DOES
NOT ACCEPT DEFEAT. THE LAW OF THE JUNGLE APPLIES.
5. SEEK FIRST TO TALK THEN PRETEND TO LISTEN- ONE MAKES IT A POINT
TO MONOPOLIZE THE TALKING, AND IMPRESSES UPON OTHERS THAT HE/SHE
KNOWS BEST WITH INCOMPARABLE IDEAS. LET OTHERS AIR THEIR VIEWS
WITH PRETEXT TO LISTEN. THERE IS AN EVIDENT SUPERIORITY COMPLEX.
WHICH MAY GIVE WAY TO A VICE OF PRIDE.
6. DO NOT COOPERATE- ONE DOES NOT SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF TEAM
WORK. THAT NOBODY CAN DO IT, EXCEPT HIM/HER.
7. WEAR YOURSELF OUT- ONE THINKS THAT HE/SHE IS AN INSTITUTION AND
DOES NOT NEED TO IMPROVE, OR LEARN NEW THINGS, FOR HE/SHE HAS
VAST RESERVOIR OF STOCKED IDEAS.
GOOD HABITS
IS A POSITIVE BEHAVIOR PATTERN, ANALOGOUS TO A VIRTUE
SEVEN GOOD HABITS
1. BE PRODUCTIVE- WHO IS PROACTIVE, MAKES CHOICES BASED ON VALUES
AND VIRTUES, ANTICIPATE TREND AND WORKS TO PROMOTE THEIR
DEVELOPMENT. THINKS BEFORE ACTS AD MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
2. BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND- ONE DEFINES HIS/HER GOALS IN LIFE, GOAL-
ORIENTED,
3. PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST- ONE PRIORITIZE AND DOES THE MOST IMPORTANT
THING IN MIND. MANAGES TIME.
4. THINK WIN-WIN- A WIN-WIN PROPOSITION IS A BELIEF THAT EVERYBODY CAN
SUCCEED. THAT THERE ARE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL. NO SAD AND
ANGRY LOSERS, BUT ALL HAPPY AND SATISFIED WINNERS.
5. SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD- ONE THAT
OPENS AND LISTENS TO PEOPLE GENUINELY TO UNDERSTAND THEM WHO
ARE THEY. HE LISTEN WITH HIS/HER EYES, HEART AND EARS, AND STANDS
IN THEIR SHOES.
6. SYNERGIZE- IS A HARMONIZER, HE/SHE PROVIDES UNITY AND SUPPORT.
ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE MORE. THE KEY TO
SYNERGY IS TEAMWORK.
7. SHARPEN THE SAW- TO SHARPEN ONE’S SAW IS TO TAKE A BREAK OR
REST, AND RECEIVE BACK WHAT HAS GIVEN IN WORK, REJUVENATE,
UNLEASH BECAUSE RESTING IS RECEIVING, RELAX AND TREAT ONESELF TO
A LITTLE TENDER LOVING CARE.
WHY DO YOU OPT TO BE A
VIRTUOUS AS A NURSING
STUDENT AND A WOULD-BE
NURSE?
ANY QUESTION, REACTION OR
CLARIFICATION?

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!