Table 2.
Professional values according to the assessment scale
| Nurses professional values | Not important | Somewhat important | Important | Very important | Most important | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engage in on-going self-evaluation | 2.8 | 13.2 | 28.5 | 25 | 30.6 | 3.65 | 1.12 |
| Request consultation/collaboration when unable to meet patient needs | 2 | 8.8 | 21.8 | 36.7 | 30.7 | 3.84 | 1.02 |
| Protect health and safety of the public | 0.7 | 5.4 | 12.8 | 18.9 | 62.2 | 4.35 | 0.96 |
| Participate in public policy affecting distribution of resources | 6.8 | 20.5 | 37.7 | 20.5 | 14.4 | 3.15 | 1.02 |
| Participate in peer review | 0.7 | 8.2 | 17.8 | 31.5 | 41.8 | 4.04 | 1 |
| Establish standards as a guide for practice | 1.4 | 4.8 | 16.3 | 32.7 | 44.9 | 4.13 | 0.96 |
| Promote and maintain standards where planned learning activities for students take place | 0.7 | 6.9 | 22.1 | 34.5 | 35.9 | 3.97 | 0.96 |
| Initiate actions to improve environments of practice | 1.49 | 9.7 | 11 | 39.3 | 38.6 | 4.02 | 1 |
| Seek additional education to update knowledge and skills | 1.4 | 10.2 | 15 | 31.3 | 42.2 | 4.01 | 1.06 |
| Advance the profession through active involvement in health related activities | 1.4 | 8.9 | 22.6 | 34.9 | 32.2 | 3.88 | 1 |
| Recognize role of professional nursing associations in shaping health care policy | 4.1 | 14.3 | 26.5 | 32 | 23.1 | 3.56 | 1.11 |
| Promote equitable access to nursing and health care | 2.7 | 9.6 | 15.1 | 36.3 | 36.3 | 3.91 | 1.07 |
| Assume responsibility for meeting health needs of the culturally diverse population | 2.7 | 11.6 | 21.2 | 35.6 | 28.8 | 3.74 | 1.07 |
| Accept responsibility and accountability for own practice | 0.7 | 8.9 | 21.2 | 34.9 | 34.2 | 3.91 | .097 |
| Maintain competency in area of practice | 1.4 | 6.2 | 12.4 | 42.8 | 37.2 | 4.05 | 0.93 |
| Protect moral and legal rights of patients | 0.7 | 4.3 | 11.5 | 30.2 | 53.2 | 4.21 | 0.94 |
| Refuse to participate in care if in ethical opposition to own professional values | 5.1 | 11.7 | 17.5 | 31.4 | 34.3 | 3.77 | 1.13 |
| Act as a patient advocate | 0.7 | 5 | 15.7 | 32.1 | 46.4 | 4.13 | 0.91 |
| Participate in nursing research and/or implement research findings appropriate to practice | 2.8 | 8.5 | 19.9 | 38.3 | 30.5 | 3.87 | 1 |
| Provide care without prejudice to patients of varying lifestyles | 2.1 | 11.3 | 17.7 | 33.3 | 35.5 | 3.85 | 1.07 |
| Safeguard patient’s right to privacy | 1.4 | 7.1 | 23.4 | 36.9 | 31.2 | 3.87 | 0.95 |
| Confront practitioners with questionable or inappropriate practice | 2.2 | 13.7 | 20.1 | 41 | 23 | 3.68 | 1.02 |
| Protect rights of participants in research | 1.5 | 6.6 | 19 | 41.6 | 31.4 | 3.91 | 0.93 |
| Practice guided by principles of fidelity and respect for person | 1.4 | 5 | 12.1 | 39 | 42.6 | 4.13 | 0.91 |
| Maintain confidentiality of patient | 1.4 | 4.3 | 5.7 | 25.7 | 62.9 | 4.33 | 0.97 |
| Participate in activities of professional nursing associations | 6.4 | 10.7 | 25 | 30.7 | 27.1 | 3.60 | 1.15 |