Anxiety in Adult Learner

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.

. . .
ralizable to the specific sample of nurses examined by Derstine. Purpose of the Study The primary purpose of the study was to test the claim that returning nurses would exhibit certain demographic characteristics and high levels of anxiety. Subsidiary purposes included examining the extent to which all assessed factors predicted Grade Point Average (GPA) and level of trait anxiety. These purposes were clearly stated. However, there was no statement of the relevance of this examination for applied nursing concerns. Such a statement would have made it easier for the reader to understand the practical import of the study and provided a stronger rationale. Rather than being relevant to working with patients, the applied focus was more on educational concerns with the key emphasis being placed on providing effective education to returning nurses with demographic backgrounds that placed them at risk for elevated levels of anxiety and/or lowered GPAs. Thus, it can be concluded that in terms of applied concerns, the article was more for nurse educators than for career nurses' actually working in the field with patients. Theoretical Framework The theoretical framework of the study focused solely on the anxiety variable. Specific
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Theoretical Framework, Recommendations Based, Weaknesses Article, Average GPA, Regarding Derstine, Strengths Article, GPA Nonetheless, Stetler Marram's, Purpose Study, Health Education, returning nurses, nurse educators, levels anxiety, existing research, claims sample, anxiety levels, demographic characteristics, researcher-designed questionnaire, theoretical framework, research claims sample, marram's approach, exhibit demographic characteristics, nurses specific demographic, stetler marram's approach, claim returning nurses,
Approximate Word count = 1279
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)

More Essays on Anxiety in Adult Learner