Development and Initial Validation of the Perceived Professional Appreciation Scale for Nurses.

Background and Purpose: Despite the fundamental role nurses play in society, they often face a lack of appreciation. This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument to assess the perception of professional appreciation among nurses. Methods: The study followed a scale development design, which was conducted in three main phases. The psychometric testing was carried out with a sample of 338 nurses. Results: The scale proved to be a valid and reliable instrument, composed of 16 items grouped into two subdimensions: working conditions and institutional support; recognition and professional image. Conclusions: The scale exhibits solid psychometric attributes and can be used to evaluate the perception of professional appreciation among nurses.