ECONOMIC AND PERSONAL BENEFITS AND COSTS OF GENERIC BACCALAUREATE AND BSRN NURSING PROGRAMS IN THREE NORTH ATLANTIC STATES.
Contributors: University of Pennsylvania. School of Nursing.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 144
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to contrast and compare economic and personal benefits and costs to graduates of generic baccalaureate and BS for RN programs selected from three North Atlantic states. Specifically investigated was the difference in economic benefits received from a baccalaureate degree in nursing compared to benefits from an RN credential only, and the difference in economic benefits between generic baccalaureate and BSRN programs. In addition, the influences of personal expectations and benefits from a nursing career were investigated.

Participation was limited to sixteen colleges and universities from which a random sample of graduates was selected from the classes of 1980 and 1982. Data were analyzed for 738 respondents (a 50 percent return), half from generic baccalaureate and half from BSRN programs.

Data revealed that it was an economically rational decision to invest in a baccalaureate degree. Both generic and BSRN educational pathways resulted in additional lifetime earnings beyond the stream of earnings of an RN staff nurse. The generic baccalaureate degree yielded greater economic benefits than the BSRN related to a longer worklife and lesser total educational costs.

Findings showed that individuals had altruistic and personal expectations from a nursing career and a large majority of the subjects received the personal benefits they expected from their basic nursing program.

A marketable skill and immediate employment were the benefits cited most frequently by graduates of associate degree and diploma programs. When these respondents earned the BSRN degree, personal satisfaction and growth were cited as the benefits received most frequently from the educational experience. Prestige, which was noted in former studies as a benefit from nursing, was ranked low as a benefit received from both basic and baccalaureate nursing programs. Generic baccalaureate graduates were least satisfied with wages; associate degree graduates were most satisfied.

Additional findings revealed that as individuals earned post baccalaureate degrees, they received greater economic and personal benefits from the educational credential. Personal satisfaction, growth, prestige, wages and new challenges were received at statistically significant values, indication that further study is warranted on the costs and benefits to post baccalaureate nursing education.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-06, Section: B, page: 1641.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL OF NURSING, 1987.

School code: 0839.