Advisor
Hummel, Faye
Committee Member
Roehrs, Carol
Committee Member
Norwood, Susan
Committee Member
Falcon, Priscilla
Department
Nursing
Institution
University of Northern Colorado
Type of Resources
Text
Place of Publication
Greeley (Colo.)
Publisher
University of Northern Colorado
Date Created
8-1-2011
Genre
Thesis
Extent
221 pages
Digital Origin
Born digital
Description
The purpose of this study was to describe the civic engagement of traditional baccalaureate nursing students enrolled in the final semester of their nursing program. The data were used to examine the relationships among socialization variables, participatory variables, and the outcome of civic engagement as identified in the Civic Engagement Model. Baccalaureate nursing students in the final semester of a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited program were asked to complete the National Civic Education Survey-BSN. The survey was administered via Qualtrix® software in an online format. The investigator sent requests for survey participation to the directors of 165 CCNE nursing programs from nine census regions. The survey link was sent to designated faculty who then forwarded the link to potential participants. A total of 256 students completed the survey. Results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods in Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS) 18, also known as Predictive Analytics SoftWare (PASW). Students overwhelmingly preferred civic activity over political. Findings also revealed significant correlations between socialization variables including high school extracurricular involvement, plans for further education, and religious participation. Among participative variables, civic skills, political interest, political information, and partisanship yielded significant correlations with at least one of the civic engagement subvariables: civic activity, political activity, or public voice. In addition to correlations, multiple regression analyses were carried out. In the regressions, socialization variables, gender and political stimuli, had significant effects on civic engagement. The participative variables of civic skills and political information also increased civic engagement. Study findings provide valuable information about the nature of baccalaureate nursing students' civic engagement and the characteristics they possess that either motivate or hinder their engagement. The findings should assist educators in beginning discussions about how to ensure that students are ready to meet the challenges of civic and political advocacy on behalf of patients, families, communities, and populations.
Degree type
PhD
Degree Name
Doctoral
Language
English
Local Identifiers
Brown_unco_0161D_10095
Rights Statement
Copyright is held by author.
