Using the hidden curriculum to teach professionalism in nursing students.
BACKGROUND
Professionalism in nursing is critical for creating credibility and a positive image.


OBJECTIVE
This study was carried out to explain the use of hidden curriculum in teaching professionalism in nursing students.


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.
Department of Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
Zohreh
Z
Karimi
Department of Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Tahereh
T
Ashktorab
Department of Nursing, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran.
Easa
E
Mohammadi
Department of Nursing, Khorasgan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, IR Iran.
Heidar Ali
HA
Abedi
Curriculum; Education, Nursing; Students, Nursing