| This study compared the perceptions of college student experiences of baccalaureate nursing students in their senior year at multipurpose, single-purpose, and joint degree-granting institutions. The research instrument used was the "College Student Experiences Questionnaire" by C. R. Pace of UCLA which measured the quality of effort the student invested in the total college experience.;A total of 229 students from four multipurpose, four single-purpose, and three joint degree-granting institutions in Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin participated, for a response rate of 68.15 percent. ANOVA and Chi-square statistics were used to analyze the data.;Comparison of perceptions of students from the three institution types showed that, in general, students were in agreement as to their college experiences. Differences which were found did not consistently favor any one institution type. Students were similar with regard to the quality of effort invested in college experiences and personal and group associations in areas of course learning, faculty contact, science and technology, writing, and athletics and recreation. Dissimilarities related to library, computers, and cultural facilities but differences varied by institution types.;Students from all three institution types were similar with regard to the amount of environmental emphasis placed on critical, analytical skills, personal relevance of courses, and development of competency. Dissimilarities were found with regard to emphasis on academic, scholarly activities and esthetic, creative qualities.;Students perceived similar gain on 18 of 21 commonly accepted objectives of college education. Students were in agreement on the five major cluster groups related to personal development and social competence, science and technology, intellectual skills, general education, and vocational preparation. Differences, which varied by institution type, related to understanding of the arts, acquaintance with literature, and familiarity with computers.;Students from all three institution types perceived similar gain toward achievement of the nine NLN Characteristics of Baccalaureate Education in Nursing (1987). |
