Comparing Professional Values Of Sophomore And Senior Baccalaureate Nursing Students

Abstract

This project fulfills the requirements of upper division honors in the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Professional value development is an essential part of undergraduate baccalaureate nursing education. Adoption of professional values during undergraduate education is especially important in the today's complex and multi-dimensional health-care landscape in order for nurses to provide ethical care, prevent moral distress, and uphold the image of the nursing profession. The literature reveals conflicting evidence correlating experience in nursing school with professional value development. This project compares the professional value development of entering and graduating undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students at a small, private, liberal arts university using the Nurses Professional Values Scale-Revised (NPVS-R). The NPVS-R measures the valuation of five ethical principles espoused in the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics: Caring, trust, professionalism, and justice. The results of this pilot study showed that both Sophomores and Seniors have well-developed professional values, especially trust and caring. Both groups considered trust, caring, and justice significantly more important than activism. Additionally, the Sophomores perceived professionalism significantly more important than activism. Also, The Seniors considered trust significantly more important than professionalism. Even though both groups scored lowest on activism, Seniors scored significantly higher on this domain than Sophomores suggesting experience can influence value development. Entering and graduating students at this university demonstrated strong internalization of professional values though could improve on professionalism and activism.