THE LIBERAL ARTS COMPONENT OF ENTRY LEVEL NURSING EDUCATION: PERCEPTIONS OF FACULTY AND STUDENTS (CURRICULUM).
Contributors: University of Pittsburgh.
Published: 1985
Number of pages: 117
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Education, Higher.
Description: This descriptive study focused on nursing faculty and student perceptions of the contribution of the liberal arts component of nursing education. The research sample included 499 senior nursing students and 123 faculty from 11 selected schools and represented the three types of entry level nursing education programs-baccalaureate degree, diploma, and associate degree.

A questionnaire focused on the professional and personal worth of the individual liberal arts courses along with contribution of the totality of the liberal arts to development of selected personal and educational characteristics. Faculty were asked to indicate the perceived value of the liberal arts for themselves as well as for nursing students.

Students and faculty from the three types of nursing programs were found to be more alike than different. Perceptions of all groups concerning the professional value of the liberal arts courses were the most similar, followed by the personal value of the courses. The value of the totality of the liberal arts related to the selected personal and educational characteristics was the least similar for the three groups. In all areas, diploma respondents revealed the lowest mean value when rating the worth of the liberal arts courses.

Based on the findings of this research, a common core of liberal arts courses is proposed. The proposed care would include eight courses: anatomy, physiology, psychology, English, speech, sociology, microbiology, and mathematics. Additional courses would be required by individual schools to meet their curriculum goals and objectives. This core would not only provide a common liberal arts background for all nurses but may also assist in serving as a unifying factor for the profession of nursing.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-05, Section: B, page: 1933.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, 1985.

School code: 0178.