The primary purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of southern Alberta nurse
educators regarding the concept of collaborative programming as one way of working towards
baccalaureate entry into nursing practice (EP 2000). Specifically, answers to the following
questions were sought: 1. To what extent do nurse educators support the EP 2000 mandate, and
why do they hold these views? 2. To what extent do nurse educators support the concept of
collaborative programming, and why do they hold these views? 3. What programming
alternatives do nurse educators perceive as desirable for working towards baccalaureate
entry to practice? 4. What are the perceived barriers and facilitators to developing a
collaborative program? 5. What factors may influence a nurse educator's perception of
collaborative programming? A questionnaire was developed and distributed to 112 full-time
nurse educators in four dimploma nursing programs (DNP) and two baccalaureate nursing
programs (BNP) in southern Alberta. Completed returns numbered 74 (66%). Descriptive
statistics, content analysis and the Chi Square statistical test were used to analyze the
data. Lewin's (1951) force field theory was used as a guide in inteerpretation of the data
findings. The major findings of the study were as follows: 1. Generally, nurse-faculty
perceived the system of nursing education to be inadequate in meeting the health care needs
of society; in providing for education and career mobility; and in the kind and amount
of communication between its educational components. 2. A majority of BNP and DNP faculty
support the EP 2000 mandate. Each group identified the need to upgrade professional
standards and educational requirements to better serve society (consumers, patients,
hospitals, marketplace demands and the profession) and better meet the increased
intellectual, technical and judgemental demands required by the expanded roles in nursing
practice. 3. A majority of the BNP and DNP faculty support the development of collaborative
baccalaureate programsprovi for reasons ranging from professional benefits to pragmatic and
economic aspects. However, there were a number of ambiguities and contradictions in the
participants' responses. 4. Restricted provincial funds, lack of government support for EP
2000, concerns regarding the academic qualifications of diploma faculty to deliver
university transfer courses, the need to protect existing program territoriality,
and difficulties in mobilizing inter-institutional processes were perceived as barriers
influencing the development of collaborative programs. The EP 2000 position statements, the
increased student demands for baccalaureate education, and a desire to retain the strengths
and resources of diploma education were preceived as facilitators. 5. The participants' type
of employing institution affected certain perceptions of collaborative programming and the
baccalaureate as entry to nursing practice. It was concluded that less overt resistance to
collaborative programming was found than might have been predicted, given the slow movement
in the province toward planned collaboration. The base seems to exist for a concerted,
organized, regional effort in this direction, provided that serious attention is paid to the
issues identified by the respondents. Finally, the data provide a foundation for developing
on educational process and action steps to enhance progress toward collaboration as one option for facilitating EP 2000. Recommendations were presented for nursing education and future research. / xi, 138 leaves ; 28 cm
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:ALU.w.uleth.ca/dspace#10133/45 |
| Date | January 1990 |
| Creators | Pickett, Wendy Lee, University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education |
| Contributors | Greene, Myrna |
| Publisher | Lethbridge, AB : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1990, Education |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Relation | Thesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education) |
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