Design and Methods: This study used secondary analysis to determine the congruency in values orientation. Data from two previous studies were merged to answer this question. A survey design was used for both original studies. All participants completed the Nurses Professional Values Scale (NPVS).

Sample: Data from practicing professional nurses were collected from a random sample of 453 members of the American Nurses Association. Student data were collected from a convenience sample of 1450 graduating students from associate and baccalaureate degree programs in Texas.

Findings: Over 80% of the practicing professional nurses were 40 years or older compared to 60% of the graduating nursing students who were less than 30 years old. Sixty-eight percent of the practicing professional nurses held a minimum of a Masters degree. Sixty-three percent of the students were graduating from associate degree nursing programs and 37% were graduating from baccalaureate degree nursing programs. The mean total NPVS score for the practicing professional nurses was 178 (median = 185) and the mean total score for graduating nursing students was 181 (median = 183).

Conclusions: Although the practicing professional nurses were significantly older and had more education than the graduating nursing students, the total scores for the two groups were encouragingly similar.

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Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004