Professionalising the humour out of nursing students

Contemporary policy drivers aim to increase public confidence in the NHS and nursing by enhancing the patient experience through the delivery of compassionate care (Department of Health (DH), 2013; Willis, 2015).

By establishing a link between an unprofessional attitude and poor care delivery the first Francis report (2010) set out recommendations to ensure potential candidates are screened for values such as compassion, integrity and commitment. In April 2015, values-based recruitment (VBR) commenced in the UK, meaning potential students were to be selected on their ability to demonstrate the relevant values required by their prospective role (DH, 2013). The basis of VBR is to select students on their individual values and behaviours, aligned to the NHS Constitution, in addition to considering academic ability and skills (Miller and Bird, 2014; Power and Clews, 2015). Waugh et al (2014) attempted to establish a values-based person specification of prerequisite attributes for student nurses and midwives, which included cheerfulness incorporating a good sense of humour.