The yellow brick road: A values based curriculum model

Within the United Kingdom, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requires that Nurses and Midwives are of ‘good character’ at the point of registration. This paper sets out how good character has been conceptualised within one UK Higher Education Institution and presents a model of “Values Based Enquiry” which aims to develop the ‘character’ of students.The paper presents three qualities (“the heart”, “the nerve” and “the brain”) which represent ‘good character’ and which are believed to underpin values based Nursing or Midwifery practice. The development of these qualities is argued to be reliant upon helping students to develop intrinsic professional values of care and compassion.The role of these character qualities in nursing practice and education is outlined, as are the ways in which they have led to the development of a model for Values Based Enquiry. This model represents a vision of the nature of professional education which may be shared by staff and students, whilst offering a model for learning and teaching based upon recognised educational principles. An argument is advanced that the adoption of a Values Based Enquiry model may develop and nurture the habits of mind which are necessary for the development of ‘good character’.