Role-orientation change among RNs in an upper-division level baccalaureate program

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Professional Socialization
• Healthcare Professions

Background:

• Baccalaureate Nursing Programs aim to professionalize students.
• Assessing student role-orientation evolution is crucial for program evaluation.
• The Corwin Role-Orientation Instrument provides a framework for this assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the extent of professionalization among nursing students in an upper-division Baccalaureate Nursing Program.
• To compare the role-orientations of entering and exiting students.
• To identify demographic and experiential factors influencing role-orientation.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study design utilizing the modified Corwin Role-Orientation Instrument.
• Sample included entering and exiting students in a Baccalaureate Nursing Program.
• Demographic and personal data were collected and analyzed alongside role-orientation scores.

Main Results:

• Entering and exiting nursing students showed similarities in age and sex.
• Differences were observed in marital status, clinical experience, and educational/career goals.
• Exiting students exhibited a less bureaucratic, more professional, and more service-oriented role-orientation than entering students.

Conclusions:

• Baccalaureate nursing education appears to foster a shift towards professional and service-oriented roles.
• The program effectively influences students' professional identity development.
• Further research can explore specific curriculum components contributing to this professionalization.