A comparison of head nurses' expectations for the psychomotor skill competencies of entry level professional nurses with the expectations of nursing instructors for their graduates from associate degree, diploma, and baccalaureate degree nursing programs
Abstract
The purpose of this study, endorsed by the Maine Society of Hospital Personnel Administrators, was to compare the expectations of nurse managers in Maine hospitals for new graduate professional nurses with the expectations of nursing instructors for their graduates from associate degree, diploma, and baccalaureate degree programs in Maine hospitals, colleges, and universities. The study focused only on psychomotor skills and utilized a comprehensive list of 301 skills compiled by Sweeney, O'Malley, Dwyer, and Hedstrom (1979) at Boston College as part of a curriculum project. Emphasis was placed on these psychomotor competencies because of numerous references to them in the literature as a major source of contention between nursing service and education. The study compared the expectations of head nurses for neophyte professional nurses from each of the three levels of preparation with the expectations of instructors in educational programs for each of the three levels. Analysis of the data revealed that: (1) Head nurses and instructors had significantly different expectations for psychomotor skill competencies of entry level professional nurses. (2) Head nurses and instructors in diploma programs had significantly different expectations for psychomotor skill competencies of diploma graduates. (3) Head nurses and instructors in associate degree programs had significantly different expectations for psychomotor skill competencies of associate degree graduates. (4) Head nurses and instructors in baccalaureate degree programs had significantly different expectations for psychomotor skill competencies of baccalaureate degree graduates. (5) Instructors from all three levels differed significantly from each of the other levels in their expectations for the psychomotor skill competencies of their graduates. (6) Head nurses' expectations for the graduates from all the levels did not differ significantly. Further analysis of data resulted in a compilation of lists of those psychomotor skills for which expectations differed significantly. Comparisons between the groups of respondents have been provided. The study supports the need for increased articulation between education and service; a careful examination of nursing roles, responsibilities, and job descriptions in the acute care setting; and judicious curriculum reform.
Recommended Citation
Caroline Bean Garcia,
"A comparison of head nurses' expectations for the psychomotor skill competencies of entry level professional nurses with the expectations of nursing instructors for their graduates from associate degree, diploma, and baccalaureate degree nursing programs"
(January 1, 1988).
Boston College Dissertations and Theses.
Paper AAI8904198.
http://escholarship.bc.edu/dissertations/AAI8904198
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