First Advisor
Roehrs, Carol
Document Type
Dissertation
Date Created
8-1-2011
Department
College of Natural and Health Sciences, Nursing, Nursing Student Work
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether senior baccalaureate nursing students enrolled in a curriculum based on a theory of caring reported higher levels of perceived empowerment as learners and higher levels of perceived clinical decision-making ability than senior baccalaureate nursing students enrolled a curriculum not based on a theory of caring. This study also investigated whether there is a relationship between the level of empowerment as learners and the level of perceived clinical decision-making ability in senior baccalaureate nursing students.
Surveys were distributed online to senior nursing students enrolled in a university which was determined to have a curriculum based on a caring theory and to senior nursing students enrolled in a university which was deemed to have a curriculum which was not based on a caring theory. Research instruments included a demographic survey, the Learner Empowerment Measure (LEM), and the Clinical Decision Making in Nursing Scale (CDMNS). Sixty-nine surveys were returned and 62 were included in the study.
T-tests were conducted to determine differences in mean scores of the total LEM and total CDMNS and each of the subscales for each instrument. No significant differences in group mean scores were found between the two groups on the LEM and the CDMNS. Additionally, no significant relationship was found between the LEM and the CDMNS.
The results of this study indicate that curriculum structure may not be a contributing factor to learner empowerment and clinical decision-making of nursing students. However, the information obtained regarding students‘ perceptions of caring characteristics of the nursing school/faculty is important. Further research should be conducted to determine what factors students identify as caring and whether these factors may influence empowerment and clinical decision-making.
Abstract Format
html
Keywords
Learner Empowerment; Clinical Decision-Making; Nursing; Theory of Caring; Nursing Education; Nursing Curriculum
Extent
151 pages
Local Identifiers
Johnson_unco_0161D_10098.pdf
Rights Statement
Copyright is held by author.
Digital Origin
Born digital
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Karen M., "A comparison of levels of empowerment and clinical decision-making in senior bachelor of science nursing students enrolled in a curriculum based on a caring nurse theorist and a curriculum not based on a caring nurse theorist" (2011). Dissertations. 174.
https://digscholarship.unco.edu/dissertations/174
