Date of Award
Spring 1989
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Pinkerton, Sue Ellen
Second Advisor
Wake, Madeline
Third Advisor
Steele, Beverly
Abstract
The purposes of this study were to ascertain the composite level of self-actualization and the group levels of self-actualization of Wisconsin hospital nurse executives and to determine if any relationships existed between self-actualization and age, years of experience, level of education and organizational size. The population was 131 nurse executives in acute care facilities in the state of Wisconsin accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO). A response rate of 71% was obtained. Two data collection instruments were used: The Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) , a tool developed by E. L. Shostrom in 1963, which was designed to measure self-fulfillment defined through the concepts of self-actualizing and a questionnaire developed by the researcher to elicit demographic and organizational information. The POI contains two major scales, which include areas important in personal development and interpersonal interaction, and ten subscales, which measure facets of self-actualization. Frequency distributions, correlations, analysis of variance and chi-square were used to analyze the data. Based on the analysis of the data, a composite level of self-actualization was determined. This level is consistent with a well-functioning normal adult. Three distinct levels of self-actualization were noted among nurse executives: non-actualizing (22%), normal (32%) and actualizing (46%). Statistical analysis revealed no relationship with age and two weak negative relationships between two subscales of the POI and years of experience. Education level correlated on two major scales and three subscales as well as one subscale being statistically significant for analysis of variance. Organizational size had significant weak correlations with one major scale and two subscales and was significant in analysis of variance for three subscales. Both education and organizational size influence aspects of self-actualization. Overall, the hospital nurse executives in the state of Wisconsin function well in terms of actualizing. This should be beneficial to them in their administrative positions. By design of the study and because of the nature of the rapidly changing health care system, these results are relevant information for the present time only. Further research on nurse executive's characteristics is recommended.
Recommended Citation
Tiernan, Nancy E., "The Relationship Between Self-Actualization and Characteristics of Wisconsin Hospital Nurse Executives" (1989). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 3776.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/3776