Value differences between practicing nurse executives and graduate educators teaching aspiring nurse executives

This study examined the socializing agents of the nurse executive subculture by determining the values of the subcultures of practicing nurse executives and of graduate educators teaching aspiring nurse executives. Independent variables in addition to subculture membership included reference groups, age, sex, original level of nursing education, and highest degree obtained. The dependent variable, values, was measured using the eleven constructs of the Ohio Work Values Inventory (OWVI). The research sample consisted of two groups. The first group was composed of currently practicing Texas nurse executives in positions with first or second line responsibility for nursing services in their institutions. The second group consisted of educators teaching in the eight graduate nursing administration programs in Texas. The final sample consisted of 45 educators and 79 nurse executives, representing an overall response rate of 53.7% [...]