Nursing values and a changing nurse workforce: values, age, and job stages.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the extent values are associated with age group and job stage; job satisfaction, productivity, and organizational commitment; as well as education, generation, ethnicity, gender, and role.


BACKGROUND
Values direct the priorities we live by and are related to employee loyalty and commitment. Lack of congruency between a nurse's personal values and those of the organization decrease satisfaction and effectiveness and may lead to burnout and turnover. Little research has been done on whether values differ by age, generations, or job stages.


METHODS
Nurses in all roles (N = 412) in three hospitals in Los Angeles County were randomly surveyed, using valid and reliable instruments to measure the variables of interest.


RESULTS
Nurses in the top third for job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and productivity showed higher scores for many values including their associates, creativity, esthetics, and management, while those in the bottom third scored higher in economic returns only. Nurses in different generations differed little; younger generations placed higher values on economic returns and variety.


CONCLUSIONS
Management strategies to meet nurses' values and increase their satisfaction and retention are presented.
McNeese-Smith
Donna K
DK
Nursing Administration Program, Santa Ana College, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095-6917, USA. dmcneese@ucla.edu
Crook
Mary
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002322:Career Mobility; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D012945:Social Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires