AN INVESTIGATION OF CHANGES IN PERCEPTION OF CAREER MOBILITY WITH ADVANCED FORMAL EDUCATION BY REGISTERED AND LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSES (NURSES).
Contributors: East Texas State University.
Published: 1990
Number of pages: 133
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Education, Vocational.
Description: Purpose of the study. The major purposes of this study were as follows: (1) to determine the extent of knowledge pertaining to proposed changes in nursing licensure and practice among nurses resident in the Central Texas area (11th Congressional District); (2) nurses' interest in advancing themselves in their profession; and (3) nurses' plans and intentions for further formal education.

Procedure. A questionnaire was sent to practicing registered and licensed vocational nurses resident in the Central Texas area, and also circulated among nursing students enrolled in classes at three junior colleges. Questions asked were designed to elicit responses pertaining to knowledge of proposed changes in nursing practice, and the respondents' plans to attend further formal nursing education. Barriers which would preclude such attendance were also listed. Data thus derived was processed statistically and inferences drawn from the findings.

Findings. Eighty percent of nurses and students were under the age of forty, and 63% were married. Forty-six percent had minor children, and 19% were single parents, heads of households.

Seventy-seven percent of nurses and students were knowledgeable about proposed changes in nursing practice and licensure. Fifty-three percent of practicing nurses intended to continue their formal education, while 27% of registered nurses, and 32% of licensed vocational nurses were attending such classes. The majority of nurses and students stated that personal finances was the greatest barrier to continuing their education although travelling distance to college campuses offering advanced nursing courses was a lesser constraint.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-10, Section: B, page: 4778.

Thesis (PH.D.)--EAST TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, 1990.

School code: 0103.