Nursing Commons^™

Self-Preserving: Patterns Guiding The Experience Of Interpersonal Conflict For Female Nursing Faculty, Kathleen L. Harr Dnsc, Msn, Rn, C

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify a substantive theory to explain and predict interpersonal conflict as it is experienced by nursing faculty. Gaining an understanding of this process may assist faculty and administrators of nursing education programs in dealing with interpersonal conflict in more constructive and helpful ways. It may also provide the basis for further development of formal theory and the potential for theory testing. The grounded theory method described by Glaser and Strauss (1967) and Glaser (1978) guided data collection and analysis. The sample was comprised of 18 full-time nursing faculty members from the field site …

Nursing Care Through The Eyes Of The Patient, Donna May Fosbinder Dnsc, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

Ethnographic methods were used to examine the nurse-patient interaction for the purpose of developing descriptive and explanatory theory of patient satisfaction based on patients' perceptions regarding their nurses' interpersonal skills. A private acute care hospital was the setting for 40 patients and 12 nurses who were study participants. Four processes provided the framework for the themes that emerged: "translating," "getting to know you," "establishing trust," and "going the extra mile." I labeled the action of nurses informing, explaining, instructing, and teaching patients the translation process. Informing and explaining were described by both patients and nurses as very important to the …

The Essential Characteristics Of Advocacy Associated With The Nurse-Client Relationship: The Client's Perspective, Victoria Louise Cole Schonlau Dnsc, Mpa, Bsn, Rn

Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe clients' lived experiences of advocacy associated with the nurse-client relationship. The sample consisted of ten non-hospitalized adults, 19 to 72 years of age, who had a hospitalization or ambulatory relationship with a registered nurse within the previous six months. Data were gathered via interviews initiated with the same open-ended question. Georgi's five step method was used for data analysis. Four essential characteristics of advocacy associated with the nurse-client relationship were identified. Described by clients as nurse attributes, behaviors, and actions, they were labelled: Competent Knower, Competent Doer, Humanizer, and Communicator. Clients …

The Experience Of Female Nurses Being Cared For: A Phenomenological Analysis, Sharon Lu Skinner Shetlar Dnsc, Ms, Bsn, Rn

Dissertations

The focus of this phenomenological inquiry was the question: What is the meaning (essential structure) of the experience of being cared for as lived by female nurses? The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experience of being cared for. Phenomenologic methodology was used for this study. Data analysis was patterned after the guidelines set out by Colaizzi, and Miles and Huberman. Fifteen female nurses described their experiences of being cared for during two interviews with the researcher. Through analysis of the first audio-taped interview metathemes describing the phenomena and a unity of meaning emerged. During the …

Well-Being Of Elderly Women: Rural-Urban Differences, Betty J. Gale Dnsc, Ms, Rn

Dissertations

Using a stress-coping theoretical framework, this path analytic study examined the effects of hardiness, self-esteem, social support, and stress on coping, service utilization, and well-being of elderly women. Fifty-five rural and fifty-five urban females living in the community comprised the sample whose mean age was 75 years. The overall level of well-being of these women was high. Hardiness was associated with greater social support and well-being. Self-esteem was related to lower stress. Hardiness and self-esteem were also associated with decreased use of emotion-focused coping. Stress had a positive relationship with service utilization and a negative relationship with well-being. Problem-focused coping …

A Woman For All Seasons: A Biography Of Julia Catherine Stimson (1881-1948), Mary T. Weber Sarnecky Dnsc, Mn, Bsn

Dissertations

Little is known or written about one of nursing's most enduring and productive leaders, Julia Catherine Stimson. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the life and character of Miss Stimson and to identify the many, diverse contributions which she made to the profession of nursing and to humanity. Additionally through an analysis of her leadership qualities, a profile of an effective nursing leader evolved. The historical method was used in this investigation. Data was collected for the study from the National Archives, the Center of Military History, the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center Archives, the New York Historical …

Autonomy In Practice: Conceptualization, Construction, And Psychometric Evaluation Of An Empirical Instrument, Judith Smith Dempster Dnsc, Msn, Rnc, Fnp

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to conceptualize, construct and establish psychometric properties of an instrument to examine unmeasured dimensions of autonomy in practice through a process of retroduction and triangulation. In the context of ongoing rapid change and increasing competition in the health care delivery arena there is valid reason for nursing and other health professions to be concerned with their autonomous practice status. However, research and instrumentation activities have been hindered by the abstract nature of autonomy with only limited theoretical dimensions empirically measured. There is need to develop new, original, useful, and generalizable tools with a wide …

The Nurse Manager: An Ethnography Of Hospital-Based First-Line Nurse Managers Practicing In An Expanded Role, Sally Everson-Bates Dnsc, Ma, Rn

Dissertations

The behaviors, beliefs and values that characterize everyday practice of first-line nurse managers role were analyzed. Ethnographic field research techniques were used including nine months of observation and in-depth interviews with practicing nurse managers. After reviewing historical events that shaped the role of the nurse manager, the role was then placed within the economic, social and health care context of the 1970's and 80's. Research and anecdotal descriptions of the manager role of the past twenty years were also explored. Research was conducted in two voluntary acute care, multi-service hospitals. One manager was observed intensively for two months to develop …

Personal And Organizational Variables Related To The Strength Of Mentoring Relationships In Nursing, Willa Fields Dnsc

Dissertations

Mentoring is viewed as a viable developmental process for nurses that promotes professional maturation, career satisfaction, and strong, competent leaders. Personal and organizational variables related to mentoring, such as mentoring potential, professional success, immediate organizational climate, general organizational climate, and experience as a mentee, have been described in the theoretical and research literature. A conceptual model for this investigation was developed which related these variables to the mentors' perceptions of the strength of their strongest mentoring relationship. The purpose of this study was to establish the strength of the relationships delineated in the model. The model was tested on 125 …

Patterns Of Psychological Adaptation In Death And Dying: A Causal Model And Exploratory Study, Marjorie C. Dobratz Dnsc, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelationships of the person-environment variables of age, sex, length of illness, pain, social support, and physical function as they affected psychological adaptation in dying. An adaptation paradigm of constructs from nursing, illness, and dying provided the theoretical framework which was used to formulate and test a causal model. This study, in addition, had a qualitative component that identified, from the participants' spontaneous responses, reactions to and perceptions of the dying process. A sample of 97 adults was recruited from two metropolitan home hospice programs, with testing occurring in the home. Regression …

Impact Of Stress And Coping On Adherence And Health Status In Patients With Hypertension, Diane Darby Goldberger Dnsc, Mn, Rn

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and explain the impact of demographic variables (age, educational level, time since diagnosis) and subsequent psychosocial variables (perceived stress, ways of coping, professional support, and social support) on adherence and, ultimately, on health status (blood pressure, psychological symptoms, and subjective health) in patients with essential hypertension whose health care was managed by a nurse. Because nurses manage the therapeutic regimens of these patients, it is necessary to identify those factors that influence adherence and thus the health of hypertensive individuals. The transactional framework of stress, appraisal, and coping of Lazarus and Folkman …

The Everyday Life Experiences Of Three To Six-Year-Old Children With Comforting Possessions, Susan H. Harris Dnsc

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of comforting possessions in order to develop descriptive theory based on the perceptions, beliefs, values, symbolic meanings, and feelings of young children regarding comforting possessions. Using ethnographic methods, children with comforting possessions were observed extensively in a preschool setting (n = 10). Two of these children were later interviewed with a parent present. In addition, 17 other children were interviewed in the home or preschool setting with a parent present for a total study sample of 27 children. Several major patterns were supported by the data derived from these two …

Humanistic Caring: Personal Influences, Coping Processes, Psychological Outcomes And Coping Effectiveness, Christine Lynn Latham Dnsc

Dissertations

Using a stress-coping theoretical framework, this path analytic study revealed personal influences and outcomes of caring by nurses from a patient's perspective. Rating the amount of humanistic caring from a specific nurse who had the greatest effect on them during their current hospital admission, this sample of 120 adult, hospitalized, medically-treated patients, between 25 to 65 years of age indicated that a moderate amount of caring tended to be beneficial. The personal factors which influenced these ratings included the desire to be kept informed, age, and pain perceptions. Younger patients, individuals who desired more cognitive control over health care, and …

The Effects Of Collaboration, Organizational Climate, And Job Stress On Job Satisfaction And Anticipated Turnover In Nursing, Jaynelle F. Stichler Dnsc

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of collaborative behavior, organizational climate, and job stress on job satisfaction and anticipated turnover in nursing. The path analytic model of anticipated turnover was temporally ordered with all exogenous variables proposed to directly affect job satisfaction and anticipated turnover and indirectly affect anticipated turnover through job satisfaction. Subjects (N = 188) were female Registered Nurses from six hospitals in Southern California. The majority of the respondents were clinical nurses who worked full time on the day shift, although a significant percentage of the sample also worked part-time or perdiem and …

The Relationship Between Family Functioning And Adolescent Substance Use, Vicky R. Bowden Dnsc

Dissertations

This study utilized an explanatory correlational design to examine the relationship which exists between the predictor variables of adolescent's perception of family adaptation, cohesion, and communication, parental use of substances, adolescent age and gender and the criterion variables of adolescent behavioral intention and self-reported use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. The theoretical perspectives of the study, derived from developmental theory and the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems viewed the adolescent stage as a period in which the entire family is challenged to balance levels of adaptation and cohesion in order to facilitate individuation and autonomy of adolescent …

A Model Of Registered Nurse Intent To Stay In Southern California Childrens' Hospitals, Linda Diann Urden Dnsc, Mn, Rn, Cna

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelationships of professional image, organizational climate or domains thereof, professional commitment, organizational commitment, position satisfaction, and the influence of these variables on intent to stay employed. The path analytic model of intent to stay was temporally ordered and proposed that professional image and organizational climate affect intent to stay through professional commitment, organizational commitment, and position satisfaction. Subjects (n = 232) were both male and female registered nurses who worked per diem, part-time, or full-time on all shifts. They held clinical positions, delivered direct care, and had been employed in one …

Multiple Role Women And Their Spouses: Variables Effecting Family Functioning, Julie C. Novak Dnsc, Cpnp, Ma, Rn

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of age, education, perceived child care support, social support, role conflict, coping and marital adjustment on family functioning as experienced by multiple role women and their spouses. The family has long been recognized as the most important contextual influence in human growth and development. Nurses have been working with families for generations, especially in community and mental health nursing. It is only in the last decade, however, that there has been an increasing interest in family research among nurses reflected in a trend away from individual-focused studies and toward a …

Pregnancy Outcome In Military And Civilian Women, Karen Messersmith Heroman Dnsc

Dissertations

Low birth weight and prematurity account for much of the morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period as well as for much of the cost in newborn care. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if two groups of pregnant women, military enlisted and civilian dependents, differed in selected risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, weight gain, prenatal care, work patterns, life stress, and social support) or in pregnancy outcome (infant birth weight and gestational age). The House (1981) theory of stress, social support, and health served as the framework for this study. Since little has been published on pregnancy …

Parental Perceptions Of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge Teaching, Virginia A. Passero

Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine parental perceptions of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) discharge teaching. Orem's (1985) self-care deficit theory was the conceptual framework. Fifty mothers and 15 fathers were interviewed in their homes following the infant's discharge to determine their perceptions of involvement, recall, need, satisfaction and importance of NICU discharge teaching.

The 50 infants in the sample were hospitalized an average of 41 days with a variety of neonatal diagnoses. The average age of the mothers was 27 years, and the sample of 50 included 82% married women, 42% primiparas, and 52% cesarean deliveries. Forty-two …

Relationship Of Quality Circles In Nursing To Leadership, Job Satisfaction, Patient Care, And Cost Containment, Shirley A. Weiglein

Dissertations

The use of quality circles in nursing has been widely espoused in nursing literature as a concept that enhances participatory leadership, promotes job satisfaction, improves the quality of patient care and contributes to cost containment. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between the use of quality circles in nursing units and leadership, job satisfaction, the quality of patient care and cost containment.

Quality circle and non-quality circle units in two midwest hospitals were used for data collection. Staff nurses only were asked to complete the survey. A total of 126 of the possible 295 staff nurses in the …

Identification Of The Presence Of The Restoration Concept In Seventh-Day Adventist Nursing Programs In The United States, L. Phil Hunt

Dissertations

Problem. In 1976 Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) nursing educational leaders adopted a statement of philosophy and goals that incorporated the concept of restoring humans to God's image. Although Adventist education was founded upon restoration themes, no empirical evidence indicates that nursing faculty and students perceive restoration as important or evident in nursing education today. It was the purpose of this study to determine the extent to which the concept of restoration is manifested in SDA nursing programs in the United States.

Method. Ten summary statements provide a definition of restoration consistent with the beliefs and teachings of the SDA church. An …

Ideal And Real Performance Expectations Of Baccalaureate Nursing Graduates As Perceived By Graduates, Nurse Educators, And Nurse Administrators, Maureen Martin Fochtman

Dissertations

Nurse educators and nursing service administrators have different expectations for the baccalaureate graduate nurse. The difference in expectations has made the transition from student to practitioner difficult for the new graduate.

The purpose of this study was to identify the ideal and real expectations regarding entry level performance as perceived by nurses who graduated in 1985 from 17 of 31 baccalaureate programs represented in the Consensus on Entry project. The ideal and real expectations of the graduates were compared to the nurse educators' and the nursing service administrators' results from the consensus on Entry project.

One hundred fifty-four baccalaureate graduates …

Relationship Of Admission Variables To Success For Licensed Practical Nurses In Associate Degree In Nursing Ladder Program, Sally Kathryn Johnson

Dissertations

The problem and challenge for nurse educators in Practical Nursing/Associate Degree Nursing (PN/ADN) ladder programs is to identify admission criteria for Licensed Practical Nurse (PN) applicants entering the advanced standing level. The selected admission criteria should include those which are most likely to indicate success in the program and on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN). Identifying such criteria would promote the most efficient use of scarce educational resources and help avoid loss of time, energy and financial resources for potential nursing students.

The records of 79 LPNs who entered a PN/ADN ladder program at the advanced …

Differences In Typology Among Nurses At Different Levels Of Management In Acute Care Institutions As Measured By The Mbti, Catherine Marie Devet

Dissertations

This survey research study explored differences in personality types between staff nurses and nurse managers in acute care institutions (hospitals). The study tested a theory about expected differences which was based on an extensive literature review of nursing administration and type theory as developed by Jung and measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).

Eight acute care institutions were selected randomly from hospitals listed by the American Hospital Association (1983) as having 400-600 beds and located in the state of Michigan but outside of Wayne County. Of the eight hospitals approached, permission to conduct the study was obtained in five. …

Establishing A Profile Of First-Line Managers: Job Reactions, Values And Needs For Head Nurses, Missy Fleming

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Study Of The Ability, Achievement, Demographic, And Social Interaction Characteristics Of Three Groups Of Students: Dropouts, Marginals, And High Achievers, Judy Stewart

Dissertations

In this study the ability, achievement, demographic, and social interaction characteristics of three groups of baccalaureate nursing students were investigated. The three groups of students studied were dropouts, marginals, and high achievers. The purpose of the study was to identify predominant characteristics of dropout and marginal students that would act to direct the development of programs in nursing education.

The population studied consisted of the Nazareth College 1981-1982 freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior nursing students. In addition, the 1976-1980 graduating nursing classes were studied, including the freshman through senior year data for these classes.

The results of the data analysis …

The Effect Of Nursing Intervention On Anxiety Of Post Operative Patients, Phyllis C. Nicolaou

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Exploratory Study Of Nursing Personnnel Needs In Seventh-Day Adventist Hospitals In The Continental United States With A View To Educational Assessment And Planning, Robert Thompson Andrews

Dissertations

Problem. The purpose of this study was to collect, organize, and analyze data from Seventh-day Adventist hospitals, nurses, SDA church leadership, and general statistics to provide nursing-personnel resource information for Adventist hospital and nursing education planning.

Some of the objectives of this study were to obtain a descriptive profile of nurses working in Adventist hospitals, to discover personnel selection patterns, turnover rates by position, annual job openings, numbers and percentages of Adventist-educated nurses, and the supply and demand for nurses in different nursing and administrative positions.

Method. Population of this descriptive study included all nurses working in forty-seven hospitals in …

Nursing And The Management Function, V. Clayton Sherman

Dissertations

No abstract provided.