Values influencing nursing practice: responses from neonatal nurses

An analysis of narrative comments from neonatal nurses to illustrate the values that motivate behavior in the practice setting.

A descriptive study using content analysis of written, narrative text data.

A self-selected subsample (N = 97) of a larger random sample of the membership of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN).

The application of philosophical concepts of human relationships, patient need, keeping promises, human dignity, and unrestricting circumstances in the neonatal care setting.

Individual participants made cognitive choices related to the application of conceptual ideals of the profession to the practice setting. However, there was a lack of congruence between what the individual nurse believes is important or good and the behavior enacted in the practice setting.

As a discipline, nursing needs to identify and implement strategies that support proactive accountable nursing practice consistent with the philosophical foundation of the profession.