Derstine, J.B. (August/September, 1988). Anxiety in the adult learner in an RN to BSN program: Real or imagined. Health Education, 13-15.
The purpose of this paper is to review the Derstine (1988) article using the evaluative approach set forth by Stetler and Marram (1976). Stetler and Marram's approach centers on first identifying design strengths and weaknesses of the research to be evaluated. These strengths and weaknesses are then used to evaluate the implications of the article and its findings for applied practice. In other words, Stetler and Marram's approach is upon the determining the relevance of a given study for those practicing in the actual field of nursing.
Regarding the Derstine article, it can be noted that based on theoretical and conceptual claims that registered nurses who returned to college to obtain a baccalaureate degree would exhibit certain demographic characteristics (e.g. they would be older, married students with little money) as well as high levels of anxiety, Derstine tested these claims in a sample of 203 returning nurse students attending four Philadelphia area colleges.
Demographic data was collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire and anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Findings did not support the theoretical/conceptual claims but did identify a pattern of demographic characteristics which predicted anxiety levels and GPAs of returning nurses.
This study had several strong points. First, it was written in clear, precise statements. Second, technical and conceptual constructs were well defined and operationalized. Third, the choice of statistical analyses used to test the hypothesis that findings would be in accord with theoretical/conceptual claims was explained and defended. Fourth, findings were used as a foundation for the formulation of techniques and strategies that could be used with educators working with returning nurses thereby giving...