The objective of this study was to investigate how nursing professors disseminate ethical values in teaching nursing care based on Max Scheler's axiological reference. This investigation consisted of a phenomenological research developed with the participation of 12 nursing professors from the Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview given between August and September of 2008. The empirical data were analyzed with a qualitative approach, using Max Scheler's phenomenology. Thus, it was possible to understand that nursing professors use directive communication, using pedagogical guidelines (advice, recommendations, moral deliberations, among others) to spread ethical values directed to care practices. Thus, ethical values may not be taught merely theoretically, they need to be based on real or imaginary experience and be a discovery of the world of care in order to have its effectiveness in the teaching-learning process.
Nursing care; Ethics; Education; Faculty; Nursing; Philosophy