Developing nurse match: A selection tool for evoking and scoring an applicant's nursing values and attributes.

Aim: To develop an instrument (Nurse Match: NM) for assessing a candidate's nursing values, their meaning, relative importance and emotional significance. Candidate's values to be scored against professionally preferred nursing values effectively and efficiently.

Design: A case study-based qualitative process with quantified output. Perception of self and others in relevant contexts using bi-polar value dimensions.

Methods: Respondents ( N  =   63) were first year nursing students completed the instrument and a feedback questionnaire. Data were analysed and scored by ipseus software using algorithm defined parameters. Statistical analysis: Minitab 17.

Results: The instrument discriminated effectively and efficiently between year one nurses in terms of the professional quality of their inherent nursing values and attributes;created suitability scores (STOT scores) for candidate screening purposes;suitability scores closely approximated normal distributions;was valid and reliable: robust in quantitative and qualitative terms;was administered, scored and interpreted in a standard manner;was easy to understand and complete and well received by participants. The NM instrument offers a standardized, effective, user friendly, screening process for values and attributes. Development work with a group of actual applicants is required. NM is complementary to other modes of assessment.