A STUDY OF PERSONAL NEEDS AND INDIVIDUAL VALUES OF NURSE ASPIRANTS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON PROGRAM SELECTION OF PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS OF NURSING.
Contributors: Rutgers University.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 134
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This study was designed to investigate those factors which motivate nurse aspirants into a given program. Specifically, (a) to determine why nurse aspirants continue to select diploma education despite the stance taken by nursing's national organizations that preparation should be in institutions of higher education, (b) to identify personal characteristics such as personal needs and individual values which may influence program choice.

The Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) and Super's Values Scale were administered to 142 students who had been accepted into diploma or baccalaureate schools of nursing. All students were female 1985 high school graduates who completed the questionnaires during their last month of high school or during orientation week of their nursing program.

Hotelling's or the Multivariate T test was done on all 36 variables to determine whether there was a difference between the prospective diploma and baccalaureate students in relation to needs and values in selecting a particular nursing program. It was also done separately for each of the two tests, the EPPS and Super's Values Scale. Individual t tests were done to determine where differences existed.

Based on the statistical analyses, it was determined that personal characteristics such as the Need for Achievement, and the Individual Values of Economic Security, Personal Development, and Economic Reward were valued more highly by the baccalaureate group. Statistical significance ranged from 0.01 to 0.05.

Background Data revealed similarities of both groups such as age, sex, race, marital status, and place of birth. Differences were revealed primarily in relation to family income and educational background. Family income was reported to be greater for the diploma group with almost one-half of the parents having an income in excess of $30,000. Educational background of parents tended to show marked differences of fathers at the elementary and collegiate levels. Four times as many fathers of the baccalaureate group had a college background. Conversely, approximately five times as many fathers of the diploma group had elementary school preparation.

While there is evidence to demonstrate why baccalaureate nurse aspirants select collegiate preparation, no determination can be made as to why students continue to opt for diploma education.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-04, Section: B, page: 1093.

Thesis (ED.D.)--RUTGERS THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY - NEW BRUNSWICK, 1987.

School code: 0190.