Content area
Full Text
Aptitude is zeal towards any activity. It is a natu ral ability or fitness or readiness to learn and practice some activities-may be related to a profession. Aptitude tests are designed to predict future performance in some activity. Nursing is a profession. Nurses need to have aptitude in nursing since good nursing service for the public will continue to depend on nurses.
The present study gives a baseline data to understand the level of aptitude of nursing professionals (Staff Nurses and Senior Nurses) and the factors which influence them to take up nursing as their profession.
Aims and Objectives
The main aim of the study was to study the aptitude in nursing among nursing professionals. The objectives of the study were:
* To devise a tool for the study.
* To assess the aptitude of Nursing Professionals by using the following areas:
- Memory
(i) Visual Memory
(ii) Memory for content
- Knowledge
(i) Basic Sciences
(ii) Applied Science
- Vocabulary
(i) General Terms
(ii) Professional Terms
- Judgement in Nursing Situations.
- Ability to comprehend instructions and follow.
* To compare the aptitude of nursing professionals with socio-demographic characteristics like : Age, Sex, Religion, Position, Qualifications (General and Professional), Experience, and type of Hospitals.
* To verify the factors influencing nurses to take up nursing profession.
Important terms like aptitude, nursing professionals, profession, professional nursing, achievement, skill and judgement were operationally defined for the purpose of the study.
The conceptual framework selected for the study was adopted and modified from Smeltzer C.H; "Psychological Evaluation in Nursing Education" 1965.
Extensive search was made to review the available and related literature. The available literature was organized under the following areas, year-wise;
a) Aptitude and achievement
b) Performance and skills, and
c) Judgement, decision-making and critical thinking.
The research approach used in the study was Descriptive Survey approach. Questionnaire and Opinionnaire were developed for data collection.
The questionnaire consisted of three parts:
Part I consisted of items on Personal data-age, sex, religion, qualification, position, experience and the type of hospitals. The respondents were requested to place a check mark in the appropriate space provided for each item.
Part II consisted of Five Tests:
Test 1 had A and B divisions. A division consisted of 15 items...