The problem. The problem addressed was the lack of behavioral evidence that reveals the differences in values held by female nurses occupying upper and lower level managerial positions. The central question was whether differences in values and ascribed meanings of values are significantly different among women in upper, middle and lower management positions. The research questions were: (1) Are there significant differences in values to be found among female managers at three different levels within the nursing profession? (2) Are there significant differences in the attributed meanings to values for female managers at three different management levels within the nursing profession? (3) Are there perceived differences in values and attributed meanings to values for females in the three levels of management within a proprietary hospital chain and a for profit hospital? (4) Are there significant differences between preferred values held when first entering management and preferred values after becoming experienced in management among female nurse managers?.

The method. The Values Differences Survey designed for the study contained: (1) lists to rank order eight professional and eight organizational values twice, first for values currently held, and second for values held when first entering management, and 36 personal values, according to perceived importance; (2) questions concerning the origins of values and feelings toward change; (3) a semantic differential rating eight value concepts by three factors: evaluative, potency, and activity. Sixty-nine subjects, 9 upper, 21 middle, and 39 lower level managers from four organizations were compared. Value differences were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA, and Wilcoxon statistics to determine significance.

Results. Analysis revealed there were significant differences in values between female nurse managers (1) at different managerial levels; (2) in the attributed meanings to values held at different levels; and (3) held by nurses between first entering management and those experienced in management; and (4) no significant differences in values between nurses in management within proprietary chains and not-for-profit hospital settings.