Computerization is changing how hospitals do business as well as how nursing is practiced. Use of computer applications depends on the attitudes and motivation nurses have about computers.The purpose of this replication study is to examine relationships between nurses' attitudes toward computer use satisfaction, beliefs, and motivation. This study used an adaptation of Vroom's expectancy theory as a framework to identify and relate nurses' attitudes and identify variables that may relate with computer use.An instrument developed by Burkes (1991), the Nurses' Computer Use Attitude Questionnaire was used to measure nurses' attitudes toward computer usage. This includes satisfaction, beliefs, and motivation.The convenience sample included 101 (67%) nurses from three rural hospitals who agreed to participate in the study. Confidentiality was maintained, and only group data was reported.Findings in this study support Vroom's theory that there is a relationship between beliefs and motivation, between satisfaction and motivation, and between beliefs and motivation. Findings in this study were the longer the nurses duration of computer experience the more satisfied they were with using them. Age and level of nursing experience did not determine satisfaction, beliefs or motivation to use computer applications. Conclusions from this study were that knowledge levels can vary in regard to use. In this study the Beliefs subscale accounted for 46% of the variance in predicating motivation. Therefore what one comes to expect or believe will be a factor in how much effort is put into behavior changes.Further research should try to determine what if any demographic information is consistently a predictor of attitudes scores. This information could be helpful in enhancing the chances for successful implementation and utilization of computers. There should also be research in the variables that impact attitudes of nurses toward utilization of computers.This study is significant because findings will provide information about attitudes and usage of computers in rural hospitals. If attitudes are recognized, attitudes can be improved and better utilization will follow. / School of Nursing

In an age of scarce resources and health care reform, it is important that computerized health care information systems be used effectively. The efficiency and effectiveness of computer applications in hospitals depends on the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and motivation nurses have about use of computers. The purpose of this correlational study is to examine relationships among nurses' attitudes toward computer use with knowledge, satisfaction, beliefs, motivation, and individual characteristics. The study was a modified replication study (Burkes, 1991) using Vroom's (1964) expectancy theory as a framework. Burkes (1991) developed the instrument used in this study to measure nurses' attitudes toward computer usage knowledge, satisfaction, beliefs, and motivation. Demographic data will also be collected.The convenience sample included 66 nurses from one Midwestern Indiana hospital who agreed to participate in this study. Confidentiality was maintained and only group data was reported. Participation was anonymous and voluntary.Findings in this study support Vroom's theory that there is a relationship between beliefs and motivation, between satisfaction and motivation, and between beliefs and motivation. Age, level of nursing experience and level of education did not determine satisfaction, beliefs or motivation to use computer applications. Conclusions from this study were that knowledge levels can vary in regard to use. However, computer knowledge did increase computer-use beliefs. The study indicated the amount of knowledge may increase beliefs and effect computer use attitudes.Further research should try to determine if any demographic information is consistently a predictor of attitudes scores. This information could be helpful in enhancing a successful implementation and utilization of computer systems. There should be research in the variables that impact attitudes of nurses toward utilization of computers.This study is significant because findings will provide information about attitudes and usage of computers in areas of nursing practices. Benefits include increased information about nurses' attitudes regarding computers and variables that may relate to computer use. The usefulness of measuring beliefs, satisfaction and motivation has a practical value in assessment of attitudes to assist educators and organization to meet nurses' needs in settings where computerized nursing programs are utilized. This information may be used in developing teaching strategies for nurses' use of computers in these settings. / School of Nursing