Changes in general and professional values of nursing students over a decade

The aim of this study was to examine the general and professional values of two cohorts of undergraduate nursing students over a ten-year period to identify emerging trends or changes.

Nursing students and early-career nurses face complex ethical situations that require alignment of personal values with professional ethics to ensure safe and compassionate care. Although values in nursing have traditionally been viewed as stable, research shows they evolve over time and are influenced by education, cultural context, and professional experience.

Cross-sectional survey design was used in this study.

The study was conducted between October 2020 and January 2021 across nine higher education institutions offering nursing programs in Lithuania. A total of 370 third- and fourth-year nursing students participated. The questionnaire included 37 general and 20 professional values.

Study II respondents showed stronger general values than those in Study I, while Study I participants demonstrated stronger professional values. No significant differences were found between the studies based on age, sex, or year of study. Both general and professional Honesty values were stronger in Study II, whereas Religiousness, Self-control, and Authority were stronger professional values in Study I. Study II respondents also scored higher on general values such as Intellectualism, Independence, and Altruism, indicating a shift toward a more scientific and less religiously influenced approach, with a growing interest in the science of nursing.

This study revealed notable shifts in nursing students' values over a ten-year period, with Religiousness, Self-control, and Authority giving way to Intellectualism, Independence, and Altruism - highlighting an increased emphasis on scientific thinking and caring for others.