The overall goal of this research was to generate staff nurses views on the values and beliefs important to their nursing care delivered at The Mount Sinai Hospital (MSH). The present study is Phase 1 of the overall project, and was specifically designed to ascertain the core nursing care values of Registered Nurses (RNs) currently practicing at MSH.

Significance to patient care:

A philosophy of nursing and theoretical framework based on nursing knowledge will provide nurses with the core knowledge to guide their professional practice and assume responsibility for their patients. The nurse's value of the relationships through which care is planned, coordinated, and delivered is reflected in professional practice.

Method and Setting:

1800 surveys were distributed to a convenience sample of RNs at MSH in August 2007; 839 nurses responded for a 46.6% response rate. The survey tool included the three values the nurse considered most important to nursing care at MSH and background information including respondent's current position, number of years as an RN and number of years at MSH. Analyses were focused tabulations of frequencies of values identified, and identification of values identified based on different groups of RNs.

Research findings:

The top five values identified by RNs as most important to nursing care at MSH were: Respect, Compassion, Teamwork, Caring and Integrity. Further analyses consisted of delineation of core values of RNs within specific specialties, care areas, and roles.

Implications for nursing practice:

The overall goal of this project is to provide a philosophical and theoretical framework for nursing practice at The Mount Sinai Hospital, thus improving

the quality of nursing care provided to all patients.