VALIDATION OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING COMPETENCIES IN ASSOCIATE DEGREE (ADN) AND BACCALAUREATE DEGREE (BSN) GRADUATES (DIFFERENTIATED PRACTICE).
Contributors: Kent State University.
Published: 1990
Number of pages: 287
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Education.; Education, Curriculum and Instruction.
Description: This study sought to determine if recent graduates of associate and baccalaureate nursing programs could be differentiated on the basis of two levels of nursing practice using Primm's (1986, 1987) three categories of competencies: direct care, communication, and management.

A post test only comparison group design was used to analyze response scores to a self-developed instrument administered to a volunteer sample of 20 ADN and 29 BSN graduates who graduated within the previous eight months and were employed in four large mid-western metropolitan hospitals. Subjects answered 32 open-ended questions about two vignettes describing a health problem (stroke and alcoholism) within a family. Demographic information included age, sex, ADN/BSN degree, GPA, previous hospital experience other than nursing program, and other degrees.

Data were analyzed using t test and Pearson product moment correlation statistics. Overall, there were no significant differences between the scores of ADNs and BSNs on the two health vignettes. BSNs however, scored significantly higher than ADNs for direct care and communication categories on the alcohol vignette (p $<$.05). When descriptive data were analyzed, ADNs had more prior hospital experience compared to BSNs. Five ADNs (former LPNs) accounted for 65% of previous hospital experience. When these subjects were eliminated from the ADN sample, BSNs scored significantly higher in mean scores on total communication than ADNs (p $<$.05). There were significant (p $<$.05) negative correlations (r = $-$.53 to $-$.35) between GPA and communication for both groups.

Findings suggest that (a) since empirical data did not support the hypotheses, the profession's belief about two levels of practice being evidenced by new graduates is not confirmed; (b) Primm's (1986, 1987) competency statements may not be powerful enough to discriminate between the two groups; (c) ADNs greater age and experience contributed to their scoring as well or better than the younger and less experienced BSNs; and/or (d) competency statements apparently are not used as a guide to develop curriculum in technical educational programs.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-12, Section: B, page: 5808.

Thesis (PH.D.)--KENT STATE UNIVERSITY, 1990.

School code: 0101.