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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Nursing
Notes
- Abstract:
- Background: Despite a national emphasis toward increasing the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses at the bedside that has persisted for decades in the United States, there continues to be a significant shortfall. Only 55% of registered nurses (RNs) hold a bachelor’s degree and increasing numbers of new nurses are graduating with an associate degree. RNs who return to school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) face many challenges, especially if more than five years has elapsed since their last formal education experience. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to discover the experiences of RNs as they pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing after more than five years away from formal studies. The study may provide educators with information that could help them to facilitate higher rates of success in RN-to-BSN programs. Methods: A qualitative methodology was employed, utilizing the tradition of phenomenology as its basis. This methodology provided data regarding the personal lived experience of the individual RN as he or she completed their program of study. A purposeful sample of 12 RNs participated voluntarily in audiotaped interviews, and then the researcher utilized transcendental phenomenological reduction to identify common themes in the participants’ experiences. Results: Four themes were identified in the experiences of the 10 women and two men who participated: A journey, empowerment, sacrifice, and peer/family support. The overall essence of this experience was that of an empowering, transformative journey. The researcher correlated her findings with Starck’s theory of meaning, based on the work of Victor Frankl. Conclusion: The participants in this study were on a journey, searching for something more in order to gain professional and personal fulfillment. They exercised their freedom to choose and decided to break free of their day-to-day inertia and move towards personal gain and betterment. They suffered isolation from friends and family during the process but realized it was a means to an end and the achievement of a worthy goal.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--Barry University, 2014.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-126).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Clare Ellen Owen. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- RT76.O84 2014_OwenClare ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- RT76.O84 2014 ( lcc )
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