Professionalism in Practice Between Diploma and B.Sc Nursing (4 year) Graduates in Hospital Settings

Purpose: Professionalism construct on encompassing the commonly accepted attributes of altruism, respect, honesty, integrity, dutifulness, honor, excellence and accountability. The objective of this study was to compare the professional values orientation among the graduates of Diploma and Baccalaureate degree Nursing (BSN) program in hospital settings. Design and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from October -December 2011 in four Hospitals of Punjab. Data was collected from a total of 300 nurses, one fifty each from BSN and Diploma graduates. Selection of hospital as well as nurses was done by convenient sample design. Mean and frequencies were reported for demographic and professional attributes while two sample Independent T- test and ANOVA were used to compare the means of groups under study. Results: The study showed that diploma graduate nurses had higher level of values of professionalism than BSN graduate nurses in all four subscales including Professional self-concept (4.38 ± 0.73 and 3.80 ±0.83, P= 0. 000), social awareness (4.14±0.68 and 3.46 ± 0.84, P= 0. 000), nursing professionalism (4.58±0.54 and 4.10±0.81, P= 0. 000), and nursing services role (4.46±0.60 and 3.78±0.93, P= 0. 000). But in fifth subscale, nursing originality, BSN graduates had higher mean score than diploma graduates (2.47 ± 0.98 and 2.36 ± 1.03, P= 0. 361). They are not significantly different. Conclusion: The diploma graduates exhibit better professional values as compared to BSN graduates in these hospital settings. The identified gaps need to be bridged and stepped on to move forward to improve professional nursing values with more training and through mentoring program.