Motivational Orientations of Registered Nurse Baccalaureate Students in Rural New England

Using Houle's learning typology, this study examined the dimensions underlying reasons RNs in rural New England return to school to obtain a baccalaureate nursing degree. Factor analysis of the Educational Participation Scale revealed eight motivational orientations. These factors differ somewhat from the study of motivations of other continuing learners, in non-credit courses and in nursing baccalaureate study in an urban area. It is suggested that more study is needed with more diverse populations to validate nurses' motivational orientations, and that consideration must be paid to whether instruments aimed at the general population of continuing learners or the specific nursing population of study are appropriate.