Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1994

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Burrichter, Arthur W.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare empathy levels of registered nurses based on three different types of academic preparation: associate degree (two-year program), diploma (three-year program), or baccalaureate degree (four-year program). The relationship of empathy to age, marital status, parental status, clinical experience, and length of time in practice was also investigated. Subjects (n = 122) for the study were registered nurses working at two acute care health settings in the southeast metropolitan area of Florida. Two instruments were used: (a) Empathy Construct Rating Scale (ECRS), and (b) a demographic information questionnaire. The ECRS was chosen because of its proven construct validity and specificity to nursing (LaMonica, 1981). The demographic questionnaire assisted the investigator to determine any relationship between level of empathy and the aforementioned variables. A regression analysis was performed first to determine any relationship between empathy levels of registered nurses and the demographic variables. No significant relationship was found between professional preparation and the demographic variables. A one-way analysis (ANOVA) was performed to assess the strength and direction of the relationship between academic preparation and empathy. Using 0.05 level of significance as the criterion, statistical analysis revealed there was no relationship between registered nurses' academic preparation and level of empathy.

Extent

113 p.

Comments

College of Education|Thesis (Ed.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1994.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|College of Education

Identifier

FADT12395

Format

pdf

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