| Literature demonstrates that in the field of nursing confusion exists as to the difference between associate degree (AD) and baccalaureate degree (BD) nursing practice. The purpose of this study was to determine if graduating students of the AD and BD nursing programs at Indiana State University (ISU) performed differently in specific nursing care situations. The study was a replication of the Gray et al. Study, conducted at the University of Vermont. Role theory was used as the theoretical framework for data gathering and analyses.;A paper-and-pencil test was administered to two groups each of AD (54) and BD (34) students. Each test response was assigned to a type of nursing practice, to one of eight functional areas, to one of 43 nursing behaviors, and identified as to whether or not it reflected National League for Nursing statements of AD and BD nursing behaviors. The t-test and Crosstabulation programs of SPSS were used to test the significance of findings.;Statistically significant differences at the .05 level were found in 10 nursing behaviors within seven functional areas. Responses were found to reflect the NLN AD and BD behaviors. No significant difference was found between AD and BD responses in four nursing behaviors in two of the functional areas. Findings indicated that BD behaviors were those of synthesizing theory and empirical knowledge, prevention, observation for physiological and behavioral data, as well as planning and implementing nursing care plans. AD behaviors were involved in stress-reducing techniques and the care of equipment and the observation of its function. Both AD and BD responses indicated equal concern for using laboratory results in planning client care and the initiation of nursing rounds, nursing conferences, and inservice offerings as appropriate use of extra time.;The ISU AD and BD student responses did reflect their respective nursing practice behaviors. Yet, no significant difference in practice was found in 29 of the 43 behaviors in the study. |
