Registered Nurses'' Willingness to Serve Populations on the Periphery of Society

PURPOSE: To (a) determine the relative combined contributions of age, highest level of education, gender, and nursing certification on registered nurses' values, and (b) to identify the relative combined contributions of age, highest level of education, gender, nursing certification, and values on registered nurses' willingness to serve underserved and disenfranchised populations. DESIGN: Survey. METHODS: Web-based anonymous survey containing the AACN Values QuestionnaireNurse, the Willingness to Serve the Underserved and Disenfranchised Scale, and a demographic questionnaire were used to assess the meaning that participants attach to seven values; the willingness of participants to care for members of diverse groups; and participant demographic information. Data analysis was accomplished using regression analyses with a convenience sample of 128. FINDINGS: Age and highest level of education showed significant combined contributions to the values scores; however, these variables, including values, were not significant in predicting nurses' willingness to serve underserved and disenfranchised populations. CONCLUSIONS: Demographic characteristics (age and level of education) showed limited influence on values, but no variables included in this study were significantly associated with registered nurses' willingness to serve populations on the periphery of society.