The unification model in nursing: a study of receptivity among nurse educators in the United States

The purpose of this study was to analyze receptivity to the proposed introduction of the Unification of Education and Service Model among nurse educators in the United States according to the status-risk theory of receptivity. The three status groups studied were deans, tenured faculty, and nontenured faculty. Two phases of data collection involved probability sampling of baccalaureate nursing schools and educators. The final sample of 222 nurse educators represented 87 schools and 42 states. Receptivity to the proposed innovation and the level of risk perceived as accompanying this action were assessed from responses to three semantic differentials which were included in mailed booklets. None of the hypotheses was supported. The results, however, offer evidence of support for the status-risk theory of receptivity.