CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

INTRODUCTION

All our lives we encounter persuaders. Those who were successful are
largely responsible for the way we are.

- Charlie "Tremendous" Jones (2008)

Life is one continuous series of persuasions, and in these persuasions we pursue and

continue until we meet our goals. Remembering that ambition never gets anywhere until it comes

to a form of work through partnership, thus one must have a partner. At home, it is the parents

that persuade the child or it’s the child persuading the parent. On the other hand, not just in the

family where an individual is persuaded but as well externally, meaning he could be persuaded

by other factors, may it be a thing or another person.

According to Wagner (2001), motivation controls behaviour, it energises behaviour and

directs it towards some goal. Motivation can modify by experience. And all motivation was

ultimately reducible to two basic and oppose source of energy, the life instinct and the depth

instinct. Persuasion’s powerful forces are constantly remaking people to become better persons

who are irrevocably changed sometimes imperceptibly, often dramatically.

Persuasion processes are at the heart of social movements and social heaves. The ability

of this process to reconfigure millions of minds and hearts has enabled masters of persuasion and
influence to become the opinion leaders of the world. Social influence is a powerful engine of

historical change. The key targets of persuasion are our attitudes and opinions. Those who seek

to persuade us seek to create or change over attitudes in a particular direction. Every day, there

are people who are encountered that could somehow influence a person in making decisions.

With this, when one is highly motivated, he is persuaded to finish a certain task (Wagner, 2001).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is one of the academic degree programs offered by

various schools in the country. The curriculum combines a foundation in the liberal arts and

sciences with theories, practice and clinical laboratory experiences. Helping students to learn to

think critically, communicate effectively, and provide therapeutic interventions which are set for

the goals that underlay the entire nursing program. Through hands-on use of health related

equipment in the Learning Resource Center, students learn to strengthen their clinical skills,

evaluation techniques and priority setting: all essential elements of professional nursing practice.

This helps the students improve their knowledge, develop their skills and enhance their attitudes

which is the main focus of the nursing profession (Nursing, 2009).

Recently, the increase in the demand for nurses in the international community brought

about an extraordinary increase in the number of nursing students, this past decade (Erickson, et

al., 2005). The number of nursing students rose to the extent of overtaking 50% of a University’s

population. The top Philippine Universities even saw professionals going back to school just to

take up nursing (Palaypay & Padilla, 2009).

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 The quantity of high school students who have decided to take up nursing increased. As

stated by Limlingan (2007) on his article, due to the increased demand of nurses abroad, Nursing

is one of the courses preferred by the incoming college students here in the Philippines.

Moreover, based from Commission on Higher Education, for the period of 1998 – 2007, the

27,833 number of enrolees recorded in the Academic Year (A.Y.) 2000-2001 rose to a record

high of 453, 896 in Academic Year 2006-2007 with an annual average growth of 62 %. The

number graduates exhibited an increasing trend for the period 2000-2005, with 140.5% increased

in the number of graduates in A.Y.2004-2005 (Palaypay & Padilla, 2009).

Nonetheless, this reason has attracted parents and students making the nursing profession,

a competition related to various reasons that are pre-indentified by Erickson (2005), like the

study showed that teachers' involvement, organization of the program, contents in the studies

associated to the profession, life situation and friendship, were more commonly used as extrinsic

motivators and as explanation to the motivation score than was intrinsic factors such as attitude

to the study.

With an increased in the number of nurses being hired abroad and being employed in

different countries, nursing has been a demand career choice which resulted in the mushrooming

of nursing schools. As cited by Palaypay and Padilla (2009), there is a significant rise in the

number of nursing colleges from 190 in A.Y. 1998 -1999 to 465 in A.Y. 2006-2007. However,

do these students who are taking up nursing really want Nursing as their personal career choice

or is it because they are persuaded because of the opportunity that awaits them? Do they still

manage to finish the course?

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 To sum up, the environment where people moves can directly influence them on a certain

task to be finished. The researchers identified the factors associated with the continuation of

nursing course through available resources such as previous studies and related journals and

survey. There are available literatures regarding the factors that may affect the continuation of

the course, however there is limited information available as to the presence of significant

difference between initial level of reluctance and at present. It is because of this research gap

that the researchers ventured out in this study which described the factors as well as the

difference between initial levels of reluctance

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

The conceptual framework serves as a background or foundation of the study related in a

logical manner (Polit & Beck, 2008). This framework represents the research study, “Selected

Factors Affecting the Continuation of the Nursing Course despite the Reluctance of Nursing

Students of Angeles University Foundation, Academic Year 2009-2010: Implication For Nursing

Education”. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors are always present in every situation of an individual

to achieve a goal. These factors can affect on how an individual will behave and act. But due to

the increase in demand of nurses, many have decided to take up nursing because of the

employment opportunities especially abroad.

One factor may include motivation that energizes behaviour and gives the individual

sense of direction to achieve a certain goal. It may play a role in boosting the character of the

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PARADIGM OF THE STUDY

FIGURE 1

SELECTED FACTORS AFFECTING THE CONTINUATION OF THE NURSING COURSE DESPITE

THE RELUCTANCE OF NURSING STUDENTS OF ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION,
A.Y. 2009-2010: IMPLICATION FOR NURSING EDUCATION
individual to continue what he had started. Other factors may include family, allowance, for

compliance and opportunities.

On the other hand, self-efficacy may also play a role. Niven (2006) pointed out that self

efficacy can be defined as the extent to which people believe they are competent to confront the

challenges in life. The expectations of personal efficacy determine whether coping behaviour

will be sustained in the face of adversity.

In the study conducted by Nilsson and Stomberg (2009) , which have focused their study

on the motivation of nursing students which have proved that intrinsic factors have driven the

student to learn, to perform, and wish to succeed. In addition, the need for extrinsic factor is also

proved to give the students external reward.

In the study, these factors may have an effect on the reluctance of the nursing students in

terms of continuing the nursing course. Such factors can be the motivators that enable the

students to continue the nursing course despite of not choosing nursing as their personal choice.

The paradigm of the study is composed of different pictures which represents the

concepts involving the study. The first picture represents the selected intrinsic and extrinsic

factors that were identified in the study. It is connected to the second picture with a straight

arrow, indicating a relationship between the factors and the level of reluctance.
These intrinsic factors include motivation to learn, motivation towards financial benefits,

motivation to help others and self-efficacy. On the other hand, extrinsic factors include family

support system, peer and mentor’s influence, relationship with opposite sex, allowance and job

opportunities in Nursing.

The students located on the upper part of the first picture represent the respondents of the

study, Batch SANLINGAN and GILAS Nursing Students of Angeles University Foundation for

the Academic Year 2009-2010.

The second picture which consists of a stair and a seesaw signifies the continuation of the

nursing course despite the level of reluctance. Finally, the second picture is connected to the

third picture with the use of a broken arrow which signifies that the study is directed towards in

determining the implications of the study in Nursing Education.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

MAIN PROBLEM

This study aimed to determine the relationship of selected factors affecting the

continuation of the nursing course despite the reluctance of SANLINGAN and GILAS nursing

students of Angeles University Foundation, Academic Year 2009-2010 and their implication for

Nursing Education.

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SUB PROBLEM

Specifically, the study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. How may the respondents be described as to:

1.1 Initial level of reluctance before taking up the nursing course;

1.2 Level of reluctance at present in continuing the nursing course?

2. How may the factors affecting the decision of the students in continuing the course be

described as to:

2.1 Intrinsic Factors;

2.1.1 Motivation to learn;

2.1.2 Motivation towards financial benefits;

2.1.3 Motivation to help others;

2.1.4 Self efficacy?

2.2 Extrinsic Factors

2.2.1 Family support system;

2.2.2 Peer and Mentor’s Influence;

2.2.3 Relationship with the opposite sex;

2.2.4 Allowance

2.2.5 Job Opportunities in Nursing?

3. Is there a significant difference on the level of reluctance before taking BSN and at

present?

4. Is there significant relationship between intrinsic factors and the present level of

reluctance?

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 5. Is there significant relationship between extrinsic factors and the present level of

reluctance?

6. Which among the intrinsic factors is the most significantly related to present level of

reluctance?

7. Which among the extrinsic factors is the most significantly related to present level of

reluctance?

8. What is the implication of the study for Nursing Education?

STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESES

The following null hypotheses were formulated for rejection or acceptance:

1. There is no significant difference between the level of reluctance prior to taking BSN and

at present.

2. There is no significant relationship between Motivation to learn and the level of

reluctance.

3. There is no significant relationship between Motivation towards financial benefits and the

level of reluctance.

4. There is no significant relationship between Motivation to help others and the level of

reluctance.

5. There is no significant relationship between Self-efficacy and the level of reluctance.

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 6. There is no significant relationship between Family Support System and the level of

reluctance.

7. There is no significant relationship between Peer and Mentor’s Influence and the level of

reluctance.

8. There is no significant relationship between Relationship with the opposite sex and the

level of reluctance.

9. There is no significant relationship between Allowance and the level of reluctance.

10. There is no significant relationship between Job Opportunities in Nursing and the level of

reluctance.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study may bring about a different deal of concern to certain population implicating

the result of generated information of the study.

The results or findings of this study are noteworthy to the following:

TO THE NURSING EDUCATION: This study will aid in strengthening the characters of

students by their nurse educators, providing curricular programs that can help students to pursue

and finish the course after knowing their degree of reluctance and their motivations. The nursing

educators may also include a new strategy in teaching that will enable students to be more

participative.

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 TO THE UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION: This study will help the administration to

know the existing condition of the students. Knowing such condition will enable them to plan

and implement various school programs that may facilitate increase in motivational levels and

make the students realize the importance to finish the course. The administration, together with

the Guidance and Counselling Center, may conduct series of workshops and seminars which will

add to the reason of the nursing students to continue the course.

TO FUTURE RESEARCHERS: This study will serve as a historical basis for identifying

existence of specific attitudes motivating nursing students to continue the course despite the level

of reluctance.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The study primarily focuses on selected factors that contribute to the continuing the

nursing course despite the reluctance. The extrinsic factors are comprised of family support

system, peer and mentor’s influence, relationship with opposite sex, allowance and job

opportunities in Nursing. The intrinsic factors include motivation to learn, motivation towards

financial benefits, motivation to help others and self-efficacy.

The study covered the batch SANLINGAN and GILAS students of the Academic Year

2009-2010 who are reluctant based on the result of their score in the initial questionnaire,

regardless whether they have a different curriculum. The researchers have not included the

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following: the first year students; the fourth year nursing students; and students whose result in

the initial questionnaire revealed that they are not reluctant in taking nursing course.

The first year nursing students were not included in this study because they are not yet

exposed to the clinical area and the subjects taken by those students were mostly general

education. Fourth year nursing students were not included because the researchers may

experience attrition or loss of respondents and by the time they’re about to collect the data,

fourth year nursing students already graduated.

The study is limited to aforementioned factors. The respondents of the study were only

limited to the SANLINGAN and GILAS who are enrolled in the Academic Year 2009-2010.

Those who were not enrolled in the academic year were not included in this study.

The researchers also identified the following limitations to which they have no control

and may affect the study’s findings. The first limitation recognized is the time of the data

gathering, since it was done in the beginning of the academic year, students who dropped or

shifted to other course from the SANLINGAN and GILAS before the data gathering has not

been included. Those who are absent during the data collection were not included in the study.

Another is the environment during data gathering. Such factor cannot be controlled since the

respondents have different set of schedules and cannot be easily seen. The conduciveness of the

environment where the respondents are to answer the questionnaire may affect their attitude

towards accomplishing the tool. Moreover, some respondents refused to continue answering the

researchers’ questionnaire.

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DEFINITION OF TERMS

This part presents the terms used in the present study and their definitions for the easy

understanding of the used words.

Extrinsic Factor. Inessential: not an essential part of something; from outside: coming or

operating from outside something (Encarta® World English Dictionary, North American Edition

2009).

In the study, it refers to the motivational factors other than the self, particularly, the

allowance, family support system, job opportunities, peer and mentor’s influence and

relationship with opposite sex.

Allowance. It is the money given to child by parents: a small sum of money paid

regularly by parents to a child so that the child can make his or her own

purchases. (Encarta® World English Dictionary, North American Edition

2009).

In the study, it refers to the money received by the students and

spent to their daily expenses and school projects or requirements.

Family Support System. It is a group of relatives: a group of people who are

closely related by birth, marriage or adoption (Encarta® World English

Dictionary, North American Edition 2009).

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 In the study, it refers to a group of people which supports the

nursing student financially and emotionally. It could be a mother, a father,

a sibling or the presence of all.

Job Opportunities. It is a chance, especially one that offers some kind of

advantage that somebody does regular for pay or pain position. (Encarta®

World English Dictionary, North American Edition 2009).

In the study, it refers to the Nursing job in various nursing field.

Peer and Mentor’s Influence. It is somebody who is equal of somebody else;

experienced adviser and supporter. (Encarta® World English Dictionary,

North American Edition 2009).

In the study, it refers to the respondents’ friends and clinical

instructors in the nursing subjects.

Relationship with opposite sex. It is a connection between two people and their

involvement with one another, especially as regards the way they behave

toward and feel about one another (Encarta® World English Dictionary,

North American Edition 2009).

In the study, it refers to the relationship of the respondent with

his/her girlfriend/boyfriend or if married , it refers to the relationship with

the spouse.

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 Intrinsic Factor. It is basic and essential: belonging to something as one of the basic and

essential features that make it what it is (Encarta® World English Dictionary, North American

Edition 2009).

In the study, it refers to the inner drive of the student to continue the course which

includes motivation to help others, motivation to learn, motivation towards financial benefits and

self-efficacy.

Motivation to help others. It is a feeling of enthusiasm or interest in providing

someone else’ needs (Encarta® World English Dictionary, North

American Edition 2009).

In the study, it refers to the inner drive of the respondent to assist

someone by being a student nurse.

Motivation to learn. It is a feeling of enthusiasm or interest in acquiring new

information or skill (Encarta® World English Dictionary, North American

Edition 2009).

In the study, it refers to the inner drive of the respondents to know

new concepts in nursing and procedures

Motivation toward financial benefits. It is a feeling of enthusiasm or interest in

obtaining an advantage in terms of money (Encarta® World English

Dictionary, North American Edition 2009).

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 In the study, it refers to the inner drive of the respondent in

obtaining a high salary upon working as a nurse.

Self-Efficacy. It is the extent to which people believe they are competent to

confront the challenges in life (Niven , 2006).

In the study, it refers to respondent’s confidence in their ability to

pursue and continue the nursing course.

Level of Reluctance.. It is the rank or scale that shows no willingness or enthusiasm to

do something (Encarta® World English Dictionary, North American Edition 2009).

In the study, it refers to height of the respondent’s unwillingness to pursue the nursing.

Highly Reluctant. It shows no willingness or enthusiasm to do something which

is great in extent (Encarta® World English Dictionary, North American

Edition 2009).

In the study, it refers to the response categorization of the level of

reluctance as to the weighted mean of 3 to 4.

Moderate Reluctant. It shows no willingness or enthusiasm to do something

which is average or not excessive or extreme (Encarta® World English

Dictionary, North American Edition 2009).

In the study, it refers to the response categorization of the level of

reluctance as to the weighted mean of 2 – 2.99.

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 Slightly Reluctant. It shows no willingness or enthusiasm to do something which

is of small value or quality (Encarta® World English Dictionary, North

American Edition 2009).

In the study, it refers to the response categorization of the level of

reluctance as to the weighted mean of 1 – 1.99.

Motivation. It is the act of giving somebody a reason or incentive to do something

(Encarta® World English Dictionary, North American Edition 2009).

In the study, it refers to feeling of enthusiasm in continuing the Nursing Course.

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