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.