The relationship between nursing students' professional values and their attitudes towards the elderly people: A cross-sectional study

Background: Professional values involve standards that are effective in solving problems, interacting with patients, making decisions on patient care and forming the student's attitude. Throughout the course of the nursing students occupational education, these standards shape their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding the provision of care for individuals. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between nursing students' professional values and their attitudes towards the elderly. Design: A cross-sectional research design was used in this study. Settings: This study was conducted at a university in the northeast of Turkey. Participants: 2nd-year (n = 93), 3rd-year (n = 101) and 4th-year (n = 81) nursing students. Method. The data for the study were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Nursing Professional Values Scale-Revised (NPVS-R) and the Ageism Attitude Scale (AAS). In the data analysis, independent samples t-test, ANOVA and Spearman Correlation were used. Results: The study found that the nursing students' average total NVPS-R score was 86.4 +/- 16.2 and their average total AAS score was 82.7 +/-.8.8. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between the professional values of the students and their attitudes towards the elderly (r = 0.407, p = 0.000). A positive, moderately strong correlation was determined between the total NPVS-R scores and the 'restricted life of elderly people' and 'positive attitudes towards elderly people' sub-scales of AAS (r = 0.418, r = 0.317, p < 0.005, respectively). Conclusion: The present study has demonstrated that the nursing students' professional values are associated with their attitudes towards the elderly. In the light of these results, it is suggested that professional values be taught and that courses on values be added to the curriculum in order to improve the attitudes of the students towards ageism.