Date of Award
2012
Degree Name
Management Practice in Nurse Anesthesia
College
Graduate College
Type of Degree
DMPNA
Document Type
Research Paper
First Advisor
Dennis Emmett, Committee Chair, Marshall University Lewis College of Business
Second Advisor
Cassandra Taylor, Committee Member, Charleston Area Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia
Third Advisor
Craig O’Dell, Committee Member, Charleston Area Medical Center General Hospital and Thomas Memorial Hospital
Abstract
Introduction: Independent Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) provide anesthesia services without the supervision or medical direction of anesthesiologists in healthcare facilities throughout the United States. The present literature is limited concerning the factors that motivate CRNAs to choose employment in rural independent practice.
Research Hypothesis: In a sample of CRNAs who practice independently in one of the 13 states of the Appalachian region there will be no differences between the CRNAs from Appalachian and Non-Appalachian counties in their responses to the motivation factors of achievement, recognition, responsibility, advancement, work itself, salary, working conditions, company and administrative policies, supervision, and interpersonal relations, regardless of gender, marital status, highest degree earned, certification status, age, and years of CRNA experience.
Methodology: The primary methodology for this prospective, quantitative research study was the utilization of a survey research design to collect data from CRNAs who practice independently in the Appalachian region. A total number of 460 CRNAs completed the survey, which resulted in a 9.5% response rate. After consideration of the inclusion criteria, 101 responding CRNAs were selected for the study (n = 101). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the respondents.
Results: Statistically significant findings were noted for the question concerning the nature of the work itself (p = .050) and for the question concerning no anesthesiologist supervision (p = .030). There were no significant differences between the independent CRNAs from Appalachian and Non-Appalachian counties based on gender, marital status, highest degree earned, certification status, age, and years of CRNA experience.
Discussion/Conclusions: In this sample of CRNAs who practice independently in one of the 13 states of the Appalachian region it was shown that differences do exist between the CRNAs from Appalachian and Non-Appalachian counties in their responses to the motivation factors of the nature of the work itself and of no anesthesiologist supervision. These statistically significant differences show that the CRNAs in the Appalachian region are motivated more or less strongly to practice independently, at least for these two factors, depending on whether they practice in Appalachian or Non-Appalachian counties.
Implications/Recommendations: The results from this study should provide valuable insight concerning the most significant factors motivating CRNAs to practice independently in the Appalachian region. The survey instrument could be adapted to not only survey the motivation of independently practicing CRNAs, but also the motivation of all CRNAs in the target group.
Subject(s)
Anesthesiology -- Research.
Nursing -- Research.
Recommended Citation
Frame, Michael Lee Jr., "Factors that Motivate Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to Practice Independently in the Appalachian Region" (2012). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 1054.
https://mds.marshall.edu/etd/1054
