First Advisor

Parker, Carlo

First Committee Member

Aldridge, Michael D.

Second Committee Member

Dunemn, Kathleen

Third Committee Member

Larkins, Randy J.

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

8-2025

Department

College of Natural and Health Sciences, Nursing, Nursing Student Work

Abstract

New graduate nurses (NGNs) undergo a range of life changes during their transition from an academic environment to clinical practice. To decrease NGN role strain, burnout and attrition, nurse educators and managers must do their part to limit the effects of transition shock. Therefore, Judy Duchscher’s (2009) theory of transition shock was the theoretical framework for this study. An essential component of transition shock is the responsibility of financial management. With no literature available to detail the financial literacy of NGNs, original research in this area of study was needed. The purpose of this quantitative exploratory study was to determine if a relationship existed between level of financial literacy and intent to stay in the occupation of nursing within the NGN population. The following research question guided this study:

Q1 What is the relationship between the level of financial literacy and a new graduate nurses’ intent to stay in the occupation of nursing?

Fliers were placed at all Banner Health and UCHealth northern Colorado facilities as well as in some surgical centers and skilled nursing facilities before being shared on social media. A total of 74 surveys were collected via convenience and snowball sampling. A total of 38 surveys, or 51.4% of the total sample, were included in this study’s data analysis. Most survey respondents were between 18 to 24 years of age, identified as female, were White, and worked in acute care. The average score on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Financial Knowledge Quiz (2024) was .36, or 36%, with only two participants being categorized as ‘financially literate.’ The average score on McCain’s Intent to Stay scale (McCloskey, 1990) was 3.73. A bivariate correlation was utilized to analyze the data. The four main findings from this study were (a) a lack of normal distribution of data, (b) a lack of NGN financial literacy overall (c) a moderate negative correlation between the variables, and (d) no statistical significance from the data. Cronbach’s alpha was instituted to establish reliability of both instruments. The α-value for the FINRA test was 0.74, signifying an adequate level of internal consistency. The α-value for the Intent to Stay scale was 0.87, illustrating a good level of internal consistency. Implications for nursing education and practice included incorporating financial literacy training in the academic and clinical settings, respectively. Limitations of this study included a small sample size, a homogenous sample, and minimal subject experience in practice. Future studies should resolve to garner a larger sample size such as entire facilities, residency programs, regional, and even national samples. It would also be beneficial if sampling was able to increase the spectrum of months experience in NGNs. Overall, further study lends itself to a mixed-methods approach.

Abstract Format

html

Places

Greeley, Colorado

Extent

140 pages

Local Identifiers

Hluwood_unco_0161D_11374.pdf

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

Digital Origin

Born digital

Download

Share

COinS