J Nurs Acad Soc.  1995 Jun;25(2):279-294.

Study on values and value change in clinical nurses

• Lee KH
• Bang HS
• Wang IS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine values and value changes in clinical nurses in clinical situations. A survey was conducted of 200 nurses of one of university hospital in Seoul Korea. This study was conducted between July 1 and July 5, 1994, using the Survey of Interpersonal Values (SIV) developed by L. V. Gordon, and standardized for Korea by Kyung Hye Lee and Eung Yun Hwang. The results of the study were as follows; 1. The clinical nurses surveyed showed Indepen-dence(18.32: 63rd percentile) as their highest value, with Support(14.8: 62nd percentile) next and then Benevolence (16.28: 53rd percentile), Leadership(9.06: 46th percentile), Conformity (18.15: 42nd percentile) and Recog-nition(18.32: 41st percentile) in that order in the area of general values. Using a standardized women's value indicator, the clinical nurses value orientation was within the 32nd~69th percentile indicating means found among Korean women in general. 2. Looking at how the values were related to demographics, Leadership was most highly valued among the 30~34 year olds and least valued among the 25~29 year olds. Unmarried nurses valued Independence more than married nurses did, and junior college graduate nurses valued Conformity more than baccalaureate graduate nurses did. 3. The study showed that the values of with less than one year(16.00) clinical experience were higher than those who had over 10 years (13.60) clinical experience (p<.05). Therefore clinical experience did not positively influence value orientation for clinical nurses. 4. There was no significant differences in the value of nurses in relation to their workplace, their level of motivation, or their aptitude. The study shows that clinical nurses have similar values compared with ordinary Korean women. This means that professional nurses may not be able to satisfy client needs and also that they do not have satisfaction and a positive attitude regarding the nursing profession. Therefore it is suggested that new strategies and continuing education programs be established to help clinical nurses fomulate higher values.

MeSH Terms

Aptitude
Beneficence
Demography
Education, Continuing
Female
Humans
Korea
Leadership
Motivation
Nursing
Seoul
Single Person
Social Values