CONCERNS OF NURSES: IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING EDUCATION AND NURSING PRACTICE.
Contributors: University of Florida.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 106
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was threefold: (a) to identify the concerns of registered nurses of varying educational preparation, years of experience, age, levels of care, and practice areas; (b) to further validate the research on nursing concerns theory; and (c) to support the development of a concerns-based theory of nursing education and practice. The study was intended to assist officials in educational institutions, leaders in nursing organizations, inservice program providers, and directors of nursing in recognizing the concerns of nurses.

Eight hundred and one licensed registered nurses were randomly selected to complete the Nurse Concerns Questionnaire and a demographic information form. At the completion of three mailings the response rate was 43%. The sample composition was found to be representative of the population. The levels of self, task, and impact concerns of nurses were analyzed.

The majority of nurses (88.5%) had impact-level concerns. Nurses practicing in secondary and tertiary care areas had significantly greater (p $<$ 0.050) impact concerns than nurses in primary care. Nurses having the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree had significantly greater impact concerns than nurses having diplomas. Nurses in indirect care had significantly higher (p =.03) impact concerns than nurses giving direct care. Nurses very unlikely or unlikely to remain in nursing in the next five years had low impact concerns.

Nurses practicing in secondary care had significantly greater (p $<$.05) task level concerns than nurses practicing in primary care. Nurses unlikely to remain in nursing in the next five years had low task concerns. There were no significant differences found in the nurses level of self, task, and impact concerns based on age, years of experience, and opinions about nursing being a lifelong professional career. A content analysis of written comments revealed additional concerns of nurses regarding the practice of nursing, the education of nurses, the nursing profession, AIDS, the health care system, and the care of the elderly. Implications and recommendations for nursing education, the practice of nursing, and nursing research are presented.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-07, Section: B, page: 3323.

Thesis (ED.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, 1989.

School code: 0070.