Date Awarded

1993

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Department

Education

Abstract

There has been limited research on the benefits nurses' derive from participation in continuing nursing education (CNE). Researchers have investigated sociodemographic and attitudinal characteristics of CNE participants or the effects of CNE on nursing practice.;The purpose of this study was to determine what factors influenced registered nurses in the Southeastern region of Virginia to participate or not to participate in CNE. Specifically, this study investigated the relationship of socialization (defined as level of nursing education, reading of professional nursing journals and professional nursing memberships), benefits (defined as either personal or social/professional type) derived from CNE attendance, the importance or non-importance of these derived benefits and participation or nonparticipation in CNE. Respondents' socialization was characterized as either high or low for the purposes of this study.;The theoretical framework used in this study was the Expectancy Valence Model of Participation (Rubenson, 1977). Valence was described as anticipated satisfaction (i.e. the benefits accrued); it was viewed as the positive and negative values of the effects of participation. Expectancy was defined as an expectation that particular actions would lead to certain outcomes; it related to individuals' perceptions of themselves as successful participants.;Data for the study were collected through the use of two questionnaires which were mailed to a sample of 400 registered nurses selected by systematic sampling. One hundred and fifty-five responses were received (38.75%). Data were analyzed by Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) software using descriptive statistics, Chi square analysis and log linear analysis.;Findings indicated that level of socialization and participation in CNE were positively related. The importance of benefits derived from CNE participation and participation in CNE were not related. Level of socialization, importance of benefits derived from CNE participation and participation in CNE were positively related. High levels of socialization were related to participation in CNE while benefits of CNE were not related.

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.25774/w4-th5x-rt25

Rights

© The Author

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