A COMPARISON OF ADULT AND TRADITIONAL-AGE ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING GRADUATES AND MATRICULATION INTO A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE NURSING PROGRAM.
Contributors: Ohio University.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 156
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This study sought to determine if there is a difference in personality characteristics, as assessed by the Omnibus Personality Inventory (OPI), between the traditional-age and adult ADN graduate who had or had not entered a BSN program. It builds upon the theoretical formulations of ego development; autonomy, self-esteem, and intellectual activity.

The subjects consisted of 24 traditional-age and 63 adult ADN graduates who had enrolled in a BSN program, and 23 traditional-age and 42 adult ADN graduates who had not continued their education. Data from the OPI questionnaire were analyzed using the t-test statistical procedure on all four groups and the 14 subscales. An analysis of covariance statistical procedure was used for extraneous variables derived from a demographic questionnaire. A comparison alpha level of.05 was established as the level of significance for hypothesis testing.

Examination of the null hypothesis related to the continuance of education revealed significant differences in personality characteristics of the ADN graduate population on seven subscales of the OPI. Implications of findings and conclusions are discussed with reference to nurse educators and administrators of ADN and BSN programs.

Recommendations are made for institutions offering nursing programs to initiate or improve programs and services to meet the needs of the ADN graduates; to conduct faculty inservices to assist them in advising the adult nursing student; to conduct further research on differences between ADN graduates and BSN students utilizing larger samples and a variety of educational facilities.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-08, Section: B, page: 2262.

Thesis (PH.D.)--OHIO UNIVERSITY, 1987.

School code: 0167.