PSYCHOSOCIAL DETERRENTS RELATED TO NONPARTICIPATION OF REGISTERED NURSES IN BACCALAUREATE NURSING DEGREE PROGRAMS (NURSING EDUCATION).
Contributors: Pennsylvania State University.
Published: 1992
Number of pages: 207
Subjects: Education, Adult and Continuing.; Education, Higher.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Discretionary nonparticipation in higher education programs leading to a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree among registered nurses employed by an acute care institution in northwestern Pennsylvania was examined for its relationship to three selected psychosocial deterrents. Sections of the ISSTAL model posited by Smith as adapted by Cookson to explain adult education participation provided the organizing theoretical framework.

Registered nurses (n = 460) who achieved either a diploma or an associate degree, had access (within 20 miles) to institutions of higher education, and were eligible for tuition reimbursement from their employer provided usable data for analysis. The data were acquired through a questionnaire that consisted of three parts to represent each of the selected psychosocial deterrents. Social background and social role factors were the demographic characteristics of the respondents. Attitudinal dispositions were measured by the Adult Attitudes Toward Continuing Education Scale. Statements from the DPS-G developed by Darkenwald and Valentine and an adapted version of the DPS by Duquette, Painchaud, and Blais elicited retained information, specifically beliefs toward oneself and education.

Logistic regression analysis was used to determine significant relationship between the dependent variable of nonparticipation in BSN degree programs and each of the independent variables. Significant positive relationships (p = $\le$.05) were reported between nonparticipation and age, marital status, and years of nursing experience; and beliefs about the lack of confidence as a learner, lack of perceived need for a BSN degree, low personal priority for a BSN degree, and negative impressions of credit courses. A significant negative relationship (p = $\le$.05) was reported between nonparticipation and an attitude of intrinsic value of adult education.

No significant relationships were reported between nonparticipation in BSN degree programs and the following: initial type of education preparation for nursing practice, highest attained educational level, currently held position (job classification); attitudes of enjoyment of learning and importance of adult education; and beliefs about professional disengagement and lack of benefits of a BSN degree.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-12, Section: A, page: 4169.

Thesis (D.ED.)--THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, 1992.

School code: 0176.