Competencies of Liberal Education and Registered Nurses' Behavior

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between liberal education competencies as demonstrated in the behavior of nursing graduates and the type of nursing education program completed by the graduates. A secondary purpose was to examine graduate behavior as these competencies are demonstrated in both personal and professional life. A self-report instrument was developed and mailed to a random sample of registered nurses in Iowa. An analysis of a subsample (N = 565) of subjects who obtained no education beyond licensure is reported. Major findings were: 1. Nurses with basic baccalaureates apply more compentencies in their personal lives than associate degree graduates and more competencies in their professional lives than hospital diploma graduates. 2. There is a disordinal interaction of scores with diploma graduates reporting more personal behaviors and associate degree graduates reporting more professional behaviors. 3. Nursing graduates reported more liberal education behaviors applied in their personal lives than in their professional lives.