Abstract: Objective: To explore the development of professional values and identity among senior nurses with over 30 years of nursing experience. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 nurses with over 30 years of nursing experience coming from different levels of public and private hospitals in Zhejiang province, and thematic analysis was employed later. Results: Totally 4 themes and 10 sub-themes were extracted from the interview data. The four themes were: (1) the altruistic/egoistic value of nursing profession; (2) the formation of nursing professional values; (3) self/other-identity of professional value; (4) the inspiration of professional identity for the sustainable development of the nursing team. Conclusion: Senior nurses recognize altruism as the core professional values and have achieved their own sense of professional benefits. In order to support the realization of altruistic values, it is necessary to pay attention to challenges faced by senior nurses in their career development, so as to improve the professional environment and stabilize the nursing team.

Key words: senior nurses; professional values; professional identity; career development; qualitative study