City University of New York, La Guardia Community College, 31–10 Thomson Avenue, Queens, New York, 11101, USA.
The level of nursing education has been shown to influence nursing care with a direct correlation between higher nursing education and improved patient outcomes. However, only 16–20% of Associate Degree (AD) nurses return to school for a higher degree in nursing. Studies have focused on barriers why practicing AD nurses do not pursue further education, though; no study to date has looked at motivational factors for AD nursing students to continue education. This quantitative structural equation (SEM) modeling study investigates the relationship between motivational factors, professional values and the intent to continue formal post-AD nursing education. A sample of 62 AD nursing students in urban community colleges participated. Self-administered questionnaires included the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS C-28), the Nursing Professional Values Scale Revised (NPVS-R), and a personal questionnaire. Data analysis showed that AD nursing students with high professional values were self-determined with high intrinsic motivation, and professional values were a supportive factor in the intent to continue education. Implications of this study support the enhancement of professional values in the AD nursing curriculum. Additional factors in the intent decisional process should be explored in future research.
Motivational style, Professional values, Intent process
