Using the Hidden Curriculum to Teach Professionalism in Nursing Students

BACKGROUND Professionalism in nursing is critical for creating credibility and a positive image. OBJECTIVES This study was carried out to explain the use of hidden curriculum in teaching professionalism in nursing students. MATERIALS AND METHODS This qualitative study was conducted through purposeful sampling strategy by the participation of 32 nursing students. The data were collected by using semi-structured interviews, and this process was continued until achieving data saturation and themes' emergence. Content analysis method was used for data analysis. RESULTS DATA ANALYSIS REVEALED THREE MAIN THEMES: Development of understanding the professionalism elements, Variety of influenceability strategies, and Influenceability to various resources. Each theme consisted of some subthemes. CONCLUSIONS The nursing students learnt the professionalism elements by different methods from different resources through the hidden curriculum. Therefore, exploration of the currently administered hidden curricula is suggested.