Graduation Date
1995
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Art
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Carol Whitehurst
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Elizabeth Watson
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. Caleb Rosado
Fourth Committee Member Name
Dr. Susan H. Bicknell
Keywords
Art
Abstract
The primary purpose of this study was to test the general hypothesis that there is a difference in attitudes and perceptions between women entering nursing recently and women who entered nursing fifteen or more years ago. In the past the only professions women generally entered without recrimination were teaching, secretarial and nursing. Today ample opportunities throughout the employment market are emerging. In addition the available jobs now offer more satisfaction, autonomy and higher salaries than ever before. This raises the question of why women still enter the nursing field. Eight hypotheses covering the dimensions of Strength of Role Identification (SI), Work Conditions (WC), Perception of Change (PC), Altruism (A), Economy (ECON), and Professional Appreciation (PA) were developed. A thirty three item questionnaire was also devised and given to a group of registered nurses from a rural hospital and student nurses from a State University, Economic factors were the main reason women chose nursing as a career. Among other reasons women made the decision to enter the nursing profession was the availability to find jobs in both rural and urban areas, the professional prestige nurses enjoy, respect for the work they perform, the availability to combine work hours with family activities and job security. iv The present entrance requirements to the nursing program is a source of confusion among its members and requires a close examination. This study could serve as a pilot to investigate the issues of curricula and training requirements of registered nurses. There appears to be a need for nurses to unify and strengthen their professional identity so that status issues, politics and interprofessional conflicts do not stand in the way of good patient care.
Recommended Citation
Mandel, Teresa G., "The Effect of Attitudes, Economics, Sex Roles, and Education on Women's Choice of Nursing as a Career" (1995). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2479.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2479