Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Home Health Nurses: Are They Satisfied With Their Work Environment, Said Abu Salem

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

Objectives. This study addressed the questions, (1) To what degree are home health nurses satisfied in their job? (2) What variable ranks as the most important for home health nurses' satisfaction? and, (3) Is there a difference between job satisfaction of full time employment, part time, and per diem home health nurses?

Methods. The data were collected from six home health agencies in the Hampton Roads Area resulting in a sample of (N = 72). The McCloskey and Mueller Satisfaction Scale developed in 1990 (MMSS) was used to measure home health nurses' satisfaction.

Results. The home health …

A Comparative Analysis Of Prospective Nursing Patient Classification And Retrospective Nursing Patient Classification, Dana Larmore Hlusko

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

Nursing patient classification systems have been in use in some form since Florence Nightingale first arranged her patients in wards (Giovanetti, 1978). Prospective classification systems which have been implemented in hospitals now generate billing information, staff budgets and long-range financial forecasts (Giovanetti, 1978; Alward, 1983; Edwardson and Giovanetti, 1987). Quantitative analysis using at-test indicated a significant difference in mean acuity scores in the prospective and retrospective data which pointed to a retrospective system as being more appropriate for billing, budgeting and finance decisions. Spearman's correlation analysis did not demonstrate a strong correlation between any indicators or with total acuity. Several …

An Exploratory Study Of Terminal Syndrome, Phyllis Jean Adams

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to establish the identity of a syndrome related to nursing care of the terminally ill patient, regardless of a malignant or non-malignant disease origin. The sample consisted of completed medical records of 15 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and 15 cancer patients. The commonalities between the two groups are: (1) Defining Characteristics--dyspnea, anxiety, abnormal breath sounds, dry skin, pale skin, pain, anorexia, presence of pressure sores, incontinence, and generalized edema; (2) Nursing Diagnoses--high risk for altered respiratory function, anxiety (individual and family), skin integrity (impaired and high risk for impaired), altered comfort: pain, high …

Nurse Manager Role Stress, Rosemarie Mohn

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of decision-making style, and right and left brain function on nurse manager role stress. Data were collected from 48 nurse managers employed at four acute care facilities along the Atlantic seaboard. A nonexperimental correlation descriptive design was utilized to determine if any positive or negative correlation existed between study variables and levels of stress. Findings suggested that nurse managers experienced moderate amounts of role stress, including role conflict and role ambiguity. One significant statistical correlation existed between role ambiguity and the decision making dimension of intuition. Recommendations for future research …

A Comparative Analysis Of Nurse Leaders' Degree Of Transformational Leadership And Staff Nurse Job Satisfaction, Kathie Sawyer Weatherly

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The intensified pressure for change in nursing organizations has presented nurse leaders with opportunities to transform bureaucratic settings into professional practice environments. Transformational leadership has been identified as supporting the changing values of staff nurses and promoting job satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to explore nurse leaders' degree of transformational leadership and the relationship between transformational leadership and staff nurse job satisfaction. Quantitative analysis, using an independent t-test, indicated a significant difference between nurse leaders' and staff nurses' perception of the nurse leaders' degree of transformational leadership. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a significant relationship between transformational leadership and …

Problems And Coping Styles Of Antepartal Patients Being Treated For Risk Of Preterm Labor, Janet Wiehrs Rogers

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the range of problems and coping strategies as perceived by antepartal patients experiencing medical treatment to decrease risk of preterm labor. In this qualitative, interpretive study problems and coping strategies were identified through semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of seven antepartal patients. Using content analysis of interview data, identified problems were categorized, and for each problem, coping strategies were identified and grouped using the categories of the Jalowiec Coping Scale. Major categories of problems were: bedrest, role change, finances, uncomfortable emotions, and reactions of families and friends. Supportant, palliative, and confrontive …

Identification Of Health Promotion Behaviors, Perceived Health Status And Perceived Health Education Needs Of Older Women, Susan Carol Fellinger Reynolds

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The health-promoting behaviors, perceived health status, and perceived health education needs of older women were identified in this non-experimental, descriptive, correlational study. Fifty women over 60 years of age, living in three housing complexes for the elderly, disabled and handicapped in two southeastern United States cities were asked to complete The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile, The Perceived Health Status Questionnaire, The Health Education Needs Questionnaire, and Demographic Data Sheet. It was concluded that the women engaged in a high level of health-promoting behaviors. The participants rated their health as good and rated their health as good compared to that of other …

Job Satisfaction And Retention: Outcomes Since Implementation Of Three Scheduling Options, Katherine Marie Newnam

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine if flexible scheduling options influenced retention and job satisfaction of 109 full time registered staff nurses within a selected hospital setting. The Anticipated Turnover Model, developed by Hinshaw and Atwood (1984) provided the theoretical framework for the study. Perceived job satisfaction was measured by the Nursing Job Satisfaction Scale (Hinshaw & Atwood, 1984). The Anticipated Turnover Scale (Hinshaw & Atwood, 1984) measured the possibility of voluntary termination by sample respondents. The respondents were divided into three groups according to three schedule options: Group 1, 12 hour, weekend only (Baylor); Group 2, …

An Explanatory Study Of Maternal Stress And Coping With A Cystic Fibrosis Child, Leslie G. Potter

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the concept of coping with a cystic fibrosis (CF) child and to define coping strategies from the perspective of the mother. The research design was based upon a phenomenological approach with analysis of transcribed, semi-structured interviews with mothers of CF children. A purposive sample of eight mothers with CF children were interviewed to explore the maternal CF experience. Each interview was tape recorded and followed up with a phone call to allow the mothers to add additional information, if so desired. Data analysis consisted of reviewing each typed, verbatim transcript to categorize …

Head Nurse Leadership Behavior And Head Nurse And Staff Nurse Job Satisfaction And Burnout In The Intensive Care Setting, Dianne Vick Benton

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between head nurse (HN) leadership behavior and head nurse and staff nurse (SN) job satisfaction and burnout in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The two target populations for this study were: ICU HNs and ICU SNs. A sample of 10 HNs and 65 SNs completed four questionnaires. This study was conducted in eight community hospitals ranging in bed size between 150 to 700. Four research questions were tested. Utilizing t-tests. a significant difference was found between ICU HNs' and SNs' perceptions of the HN leader behavior of high task - …

Health Locus Of Control, Sexual Self-Concept, Self-Efficacy And The Contraceptive Behavior Of College Students, Lorraine Kime Perkins

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of the following study was to determine whether contraceptive use could be predicted from health locus of control, contraceptive self-efficacy, and sexual self-concept scores in a selected group of single college students ages 18-24. In order to better understand contraceptive behaviors, it is desirable to determine which personality variables may influence contraceptive behavior in young adults. A sample of 122 single undergraduate college students, both male and female, ages 18-24, completed a self-reported questionnaire including tools to measure health locus of control, contraceptive self-efficacy, and sexual self-concept, as well as demographic data. The participants were divided into two …

Cognitive, Retention And Transfer Of Learning Consequences Of Computer Assisted Instruction And Videotape Instruction With Registered Nursing Students, Linda Mccormack-Miller

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) and Videotape instruction on cognitive, transfer and retention learning consequences of RN students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. The sample consisted of 18 registered nurses who were enrolled in a sophomore level physical assessment course. The research design was a pretest-posttest experimental design. Mastery of Learning Theory and Transfer of Learning Theory provided the theoretical framework for this study. The Mann Whitney U Test, significant at P(.05, was performed to test for significant differences between the groups on the dependent variables. The …

An Exploratory Study Of Research Utilization By Virginia Nurse Educators, Evelyn M. Clingerman

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purposes of this study were: to explore research utilization by three groups of Virginia nursing educators; and to determine if differences in stages of diffusion existed between nurse educators working in hospital diploma, associate degree and baccalaureate degree settings within the Commonwealth of Virginia. A stratified random sample included 28 hospital diploma, 41 associate degree and 37 baccalaureate degree nurse educators from the Commonwealth of Virginia, who completed the Nurse Educator Questionnaire (NEQ). Two free-response questions were used to identify factors which the nurse educators perceived as inhibitors and facilitators to research utilization. The results of a two-step mailed …

Factors Determining Peripheral Vascular Disease Clients' Intent To Adhere To Prescribed Behaviors, Gretchen Grahn Hitchcock

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

Motivation of clients with Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) to adhere to Recommended risk-reducing behaviors (RRB’s) was explored. The sample (n =30) was comprised of clients in a vascular physician group’s practice with a medical diagnosis of PVD. A nonexperimental, descriptive design was utilized to investigate how much variation in adherence to RRB’s by PVD clients could be accounted for by the client’s perceived effectiveness of a RRB and the client’s perceived difficulty in adhering to a RRB. A self-administered three part instrument, a demographic data form, and a self-administered qualitative data form were utilized to collect the data. Regression analysis …

Self-Esteem And Perceived Barriers To And Benefits Of Exercise Among Physically Active And Non-Physically Active College Students, Barbara Brown Bonheur

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine differences in self-esteem, perceived benefits of and perceived barriers to exercise between exercisers and non-exercisers and to determine if relationships existed between self-esteem, perceived benefits of exercise and perceived barriers to exercise, that could explain participation in regular aerobic exercise. A sample of 105 university students completed four questionnaires. The level of social desirability present in participant responses was also measured. Five hypotheses were tested. Utilizing t-tests, a significant difference was found between exercisers and non-exercisers on self-esteem, perceived benefits of exercise, and perceived barriers to exercise. The three variables (self-esteem, …

Development And Testing Of The Stress Adaptation Scale For Parents With Chronically Ill Children (Sasp), Carolyn M. Rutledge

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This research study consisted of four phases used to develop and test the Stress Adaptation Scale for Parents with Chronically Ill Children (ASP). The first phase dealt with developing the items on the SASP from a review of the literature and the researcher's professional experience. The SASP was then divided into the six categories of health care, social, personal, familial, financial, and spiritual. In phase II, content validity was evaluated by a panel of experts. In phase III, stability over time and face validity was demonstrated using 26 parents of chronically ill children. The SASP achieved a Pearson's r=.85 with …

The Influence Of Nursing Experience And Education On Nurses Inferences Of Patients' Suffering, Patricia A. Coots

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

A primary dimension of nursing is caring tor patients who suffer. This study examined the inferences made about patients' suffering oy 65 registered nurses employed in acute care health facilities. Utilizing The standard Measure of Inferences of Suffering Questionnaire. the purpose of the study was to explore the influence of nursing education and experience on the degree of pain and psychological distress inferred by the nurses. Analysis of Covariance was used to test for group differences on the basis of nursing education when number of months of nursing experience was controlled. Although nursing education did not influence nurses' inferences of …

Perceived Job Stress In Critical Care Nursing In A Military Setting, Jeannette Theriault

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purposes of this study. were: to explore job-related perceptions of stress in a group of military critical care nurses; and to determine if differences in anxiety and stress levels existed between nurses working in coronary care (CCCU) and medical/surgical intensive care (ICU) settings using the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Questionnaire of Stressful Factors in Intensive Care. A free response question and a force-response checklist were also used to identify and rank work-related stressors. The sample of Navy nurses (n=105) consisted of 39 CCU nurses, 62 medical/surgical ICU nurses and 4 critical care supervisors. The results of the mailed …

A Comparison Of Nursing Role Conceptions Among Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Their Nursing Faculty, And Clinical Nurse Mentors, Michele Lynn Musella

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This descriptive study focused on the bureaucratic, professional, and service role conceptions of nurses. It was hypothesized that there are significant differences in the ideal and actual perceptions of these role orientations among baccalaureate nursing students, their nursing faculty, and their clinical nurse mentors. The three subscales of Pieta's 1976 Nursing Role Conception Scale (NRC) were used. The results of a discriminant analysis indicated significant differences in professional and service nursing role conceptions among students and both their nursing faculty and clinical mentors (p

Pre-Natal Learning Needs Perceptions Of Expectant Parents And Childhood Educators, Cynthia Divens Sweeney

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences between the unique learning needs of expectant parents and those perceived by childbirth educators. A purposive sample of 40 expectant parents and ten childbirth educators completed the Expectant Parents Learning Needs Tool (EPLNT) and a demographic inventory developed by the researcher. Subjects were classified into five groups based on their status as first-time fathers, repeat fathers, first-time mothers, repeat mothers, and childbirth educators. Data were analyzed using t-tests for independent samples and an ANOVA for group differences. The results showed significant differences in the learning needs between the expectant parents …

Testing Orem's Dependent Care Agency Construct: Parents As Health Educators In The Home, Joann M. Baldwin

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The capacity of parents to act as health educators in the home is proposed as a functional piece of Orem's dependent care agency construct. A new data collection instrument, the Health Education Questionnaire, was developed to explore the conceptual dimensions of an intellectual pre-production phase of health action-taking. Parents' self-reported knowledge and beliefs regarding selected health topics, as well as their perceptions of ego strength and valuing health were proposed as independent factors in dependent care agency related to health education in the home. Methodology included the investigation of reliability using Cronbach's alpha and validation of the agency construct using …

Use Of Two Data Collection Strategies To Evaluate Stressors And Coping In Spouses Of Patients Sustaining A Myocardial Infarction, Pamalla Manz Stockho

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This study compared stressors and coping mechanisms identified by spouses of myocardial infarction (MI) patients in a close-ended, self-administered questionnaire (SAS) and an open-ended, nurse-administered questionnaire (NAS). Twenty female participants were divided into two groups and completed the NAS, SAS, and demographic information. The purpose of dividing the group was to explore possible experimenter effect. One group was administered the NAS preceding the SAS. The second group completed the SAS preceding the NAS. Qualitative analysis revealed equivalent stressors and coping mechanisms identified by the NAS and SAS. Stressors related to the MI decreased over time for spouses whose husbands made …

The Image Of The Nurse In A Professional Journal: A Historical Perspective, Dawn Louise Crane

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

Authors of journal articles contribute to the image of the nurse that is projected to journal readers. The purpose of this study was to explore the image of nursing as portrayed in articles published in Nursing Outlook from 1960-1979. A descriptive study, with content analysis, was conducted using articles concerned with professionalism or nursing education published in Nursing Outlook from 1960-1979 (a time identified as negative for societal images of nursing). The educational background of the authors was noted. Findings indicated that the majority of authors projected the image of a nurse as a well-educated, independent professional; images not reflective …

A Comparative Analysis Of Head Nurse Role Perceptions In Acute Care Hospitals, Margaret A. Miller

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions of 43 head nurse participants from private, voluntary and government hospital settings. Utilizing a tool adapted by the researcher, the Head Nurse Role Questionnaire (HNRQ), the study sought to explore five areas of job context: Job Variability, Job Expertise, Job Definition, Job Capacity and Job Incentives. Differences in perceptions were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics and Analyses of Variance. The three organizational dimensions of this study included: standardization, formalization and organizational culture. Findings revealed significant differences in Job Definition. Descriptive statistical results indicated differences in hospital settings. Qualitative analyses displayed three categories of head nurse attributes …

Pregravid Weight, Prenatal Weight Gain And Maternal Age As Risk Factors In Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension Development, Maryellen C. Remich

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This study examined whether the factors of pregravid weight, total prenatal weight gain at twenty-eight weeks and maternal age correlated with the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension in the third trimester. An ex post facto chart review of low risk primigravidas attending a public health maternity clinic was performed. A multiple regression correlation procedure demonstrated no significant correlation between the variables. Significant results of Chi-sguare tests of independence were demonstrated between low maternal age and pregnancy-induced hypertension development and between the failure of the mean arterial pressure to decrease in the second trimester and the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension in the …

The Role Of The Nurse Middle Manager In A Military Health Care Setting, Terry Brown

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the expectations and perceptions of 63 military nurse participants from all levels of the nurse hierarchy for the role of the military nurse middle manager. Utilizing a tool developed by the researcher, the MMRQ, the study sought to explore role clarity and the importance of the management principles: planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. Relationships and differences in nursing perceptions were analyzed using Pearson Correlation and Discriminant Analysis. Although the hypothesis of no relationship between expectations and perceptions could not be supported, findings revealed role confusion for two nurse hierarchical levels. The study showed military nurses differed …

Anxiety Differences Associated With Transtelephonic And Conventional Pacemaker Client Follow-Up Methods, Julieta Advento Richman

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore if differences existed in state and trait anxiety between clients with cardiac pacemakers who were utilizing a transtelephonic or conventional method of health care follow-up. A convenience sample of 44 clients with cardiac pacemakers completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory developed by Spielberger, Gorsuch, and Lushene (1964) and a demographic inventory. Subjects were classified into two groups according to the method of follow-up: Group I (n=22) was the transtelephonic follow-up, and Group II (n=22) was the conventional follow-up. Data were analyzed using t-tests for independent samples. The results showed that there were significant …

The Effects Of Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring On Self-Esteem And The Ability To Apply Knowledge About Diabetes Mellitus, Nancy-Lu F. Moul

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This study explored the effect of blood glucose self-monitoring on two dependent variables: (a) the diabetic client's self-esteem, and (b) the diabetic client's ability to apply knowledge about diabetes mellitus. The sample consisted of two groups of adult Type I diabetic clients. Group I consisted of ten clients who had been performing blood glucose self-monitoring for at least one year, and group II consisted of ten clients who had been performing urine testing for at least one year. A questionnaire was utilized which included: (a) a demographic data sheet, (b) a diabetic knowledge tool, and (c) a self-esteem tool. The …

Human Need Fulfillment Alteration In The Client With Uterine Cancer: The Registered Nurses' Perception Versus The Clients' Perception, Linda Lane Lilley

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This study was a comparison of the similarities and differences between the registered nurses' perception and clients' perception of human need fulfillment alterations in the client with uterine cancer. The effect of level of educational preparation and number of years work experience on the nurses' perception was also analyzed. The participants were 15 registered nurses and 15 clients who had uterine cancer and were admitted to two acute care hospitals in Tidewater. Registered nurses were asked to complete the tool entitled Human Needs Assessment Scale and rate the 35 human needs in relation to the perceived importance for the client. …

How Registered Nurses In Skilled Nursing Facilities Rate The Importance Of And The Frequency Engaged In Specific Nursing Behaviors Related To Their Role, Christine Anne Heine

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

Registered nurses in skilled nursing facilities were surveyed using the Six-Dimension Scale of Nursing Performance to determine: (1) how they rated the importance of specific nursing behaviors related to their role, (2) how they rated the frequency engaged in the same specific nursing behaviors related to their role, and (3) if there was a relationship between how they rated the specific nursing behaviors for importance and frequency. There were five subgroups of nursing behaviors: (a) leadership, (b) nursing process, (c) teaching and collaboration, (d) interpersonal relations and communication, and (e) professional development. Registered nurses rated all of the behaviors as …