Turkish nurses' perceptions of professional values.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the professional values of nurses in Turkey. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 310 nurses employed at public, university, and private hospitals between May-June 2015. Data were collected using a data collection form and the Nurses' Professional Values Scale-Revised, and they were analysed using descriptive statistics. Associations between socio-demographic variables and mean scores were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Nurses had higher scores on perception of professional values, and education level and years of professional experience were associated with higher scores. Results indicated that trust and justice were the most prominent professional values, whereas altruism and obedience were less favoured values. Overall, results indicated that participants' had a strong professional value orientation, and education level and professional experience influenced nurses' scores on professional values. Nurses' professional values reflect their understanding of how care should be provided, which health care policy makers and nurse managers who make decisions on providing more humanistic health care should consider. Further studies using the Nurses' Professional Values Scale-Revised, and other reliable and culture-specific instruments are recommended.