Values identified in different groups of Air Force nurses

Fundamental personal values are reflected in the choices and decisions made in every aspect of our lives. This descriptive study identified values hel d by a convenience sample of 224 Air Force nurses stationed at four U.S. Ai r Force medical facilities. Study participants identified seven of eight li terature-supported values in the categories "important" or "very important" across the demographic factors of age, gender, educational level, military rank, marital status, and years of Air Force or civilian nursing experienc e. These seven values were ability utilization, achievement, altruism, auto nomy, economic reward, economic security, and personal development. Personn el using this information may ease the transition process to military nursi ng, facilitate job placement to positions reflecting personally held values , and provide valuable insight for Air Force nurse recruiters who have limi ted knowledge of the nursing profession. In all, this would promote job sat isfaction and Air Force nurse retention.