Abstract
The purpose of this study was to find out what levels of responsibilities recent graduates of four Seventh-day Adventist basic college programs in nursing assumed during the first year following graduation; to find if these recent graduates felt adequately prepared for their positions; and to find out why they accepted their positions.
The descriptive survey method was selected for the research. The questionnaire, chosen as the means of obtaining data, was sent to the 106 nurses who graduated in 1956 of whom 82 percent responded. Data received was analyzed and tabulated by individual schools and collectively. However, conclusions were based on total findings.
This study showed that 81 nurses accepted their first positions during the first three months. Forty-three of the eighty-one accepted second positions ranging from the second to the eleventh month and 13 accepted third positions covering generally, the last six months, making a total of 137 positions held by 81 nurses during the first year following graduation.
More than four-fifths of the positions were in hospitals, more than one-half of which carried first-level responsibilities. Ninety-five per cent of the nurses in the first-level hospital positions felt adequately prepared for their duties.
About 40 per cent of the 137 positions were at the advanced-levels.
Nearly 28 per cent of all positions carried head nurse responsibilities. This was a higher percentage than any other category, the second highest being medicines and/or treatments. Seventy-four per cent of those with head nurse responsibilities felt adequately prepared.
Reasons for accepting positions were varied. The greatest number of frequencies of reasons were a desire, (1) to be near home and/or friends, (2) for wider experience, (3) to remain in home hospital, and (4) for greater service to God. Urging by employer, larger salary, and advancement of position were less frequently stated.
The following statements summarize the major findings of the study.
About 60 per cent of the nurses were employed in first-level positions during the first year following graduation.
Eighty-four percent of the nurses felt adequate in their positions.
More than 45 percent of all feelings of inadequacy occurred in head nurse positions.
More than one-fourth of those in head nurse positions experienced feelings of inadequacy.
The majority of the nurses were employed in hospitals.
More than three-fourths of ail the feelings of inadequacy occurred in advanced-level positions.
LLU Discipline
Nursing
Department
Nursing
School
Graduate Studies
First Advisor
R. Maureen Maxwell
Second Advisor
Maxine Atteberry
Third Advisor
Anne P. Martin
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Degree Level
M.S.
Year Degree Awarded
1958
Date (Title Page)
6-1958
Language
English
Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings
Employment; Nurses -- utilization
Type
Thesis
Page Count
ix; 81
Digital Format
Digital Publisher
Loma Linda University Libraries
Copyright
Author
Usage Rights
This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.
Recommended Citation
Bowman, Geneva, "Positions Held During the First Year Following Graduation by Graduates from College Programs in Nursing" (1958). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 2417.
https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/2417
Collection
Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Collection Website
http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/
Repository
Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives