Professional values held by baccalaureate and associate degree nursing students.

PURPOSE To determine the congruency in value orientation of graduating students in baccalaureate and associate degree programs. DESIGN AND METHODS A survey design with a convenience sample of 1,450 graduating nursing students from all baccalaureate and associate degree nursing programs in Texas. Data were collected using the Nurses Professional Values Scale (NPVS). Descriptive and parametric statistics were used for analysis. FINDINGS ADN and BSN students did not differ significantly on the NPVS total score, however, ADN student scored higher on 5 of the 11 subscales than did their BSN counterparts. Men from both programs scored significantly lower than did women on the total scale and all subscales. Ethnic groups differed on the responses to three of the subscales representing nurses' values: respect for human dignity, safeguarding the client and public, and collaborating to meet public health needs. CONCLUSIONS Professional values in graduating nursing students were significantly related to sex and ethnicity, regardless of educational program. Nursing faculty members are challenged to address these differences during the educational process and mentoring of students.