The Lived Experiences of School Nurses

261 Pages·2017·1.69 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2017
Te Lived Experiences of School Nurses:
Transitioning From Hospital to School Worksite
Irene Campbell
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Health Sciences

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Irene Adekunbi Campbell

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Richard Jimenez, Committee Chairperson, Public Health Faculty
Dr. Patrick Tschida, Committee Member, Public Health Faculty
Dr. Raymond Thron, University Reviewer, Public Health Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2017
Abstract
The Lived Experiences of School Nurses: Transitioning From Hospital to School
Worksite
By
Irene Adekunbi Campbell

MS, University of Maryland, 2010
BSN, University of Maryland, 2007

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Public Health

Walden University
February 2017
Abstract
School nurses who transition from hospital or clinic-based settings to a school-based
work environment often lack sufficient transitioning skills and orientation to cope with
the roles and responsibilities of school-based nursing. The result is a high attrition rate
among school-based nurses. School nurses may leave their positions due to experiences
of marginalization, including isolation, role confusion, and barriers to practice. In this
phenomenological study, the lived experiences of 12 school-based nurses who
transitioned from hospital or clinical settings were explored. Bandura’s self-efficacy and
Spreitzer’s psychological empowerment theories were used in interpreting the findings.
Data were collected via face-to-face individual interviews with nurses residing in the
State of Maryland. The study findings revealed the difficulties experienced by these
nurses during the initial years of their transition to school nursing. Multitasking was
very challenging at the initial stage of transition for nurses who were new to school-
based-practice. For nurses who were learning to navigate the school system, adhering to
educational standards and protocols while setting appropriate priorities to provide quality
nursing care for students was difficult. The nurses’ understanding of health and wellness
shaped and influenced their decision to continue with school nursing to help students
reach their maximum health and academic achievements. This study may lead to positive
social change by helping readers to better understand the transition process for hospital-
based nurses who enter the school environment. With an improved understanding of this
population, it may be possible to lower attrition and burnout rates among school nurses.
The Lived Experiences of School Nurses: Transitioning From Hospital to School
Worksite
By
Irene Campbell

MS, University of Maryland, 2010
BSN, University of Maryland, 2007

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Public Health

Walden University
February 2016
Dedication
This dissertation is dedicated to my savior JESUS CHRIST. To my immediate
family, Akintunde Obafemi Ojo, Oluwadamilola Oluwasegun and Oluwatomilayo
Oluwadamilare Ojo, who liberally encouraged me in my academic efforts; my parents,
Samuel Olasehinde Campbell and Elizabeth Iyabode Campbell, for instilling in me the
importance of education and providing support, and my siblings, Omotayo, Olajumoke,
David Oluwasegun, Emmanuel Oluwabunmi, Solomon Akintunde, Elizabeth Olayinka,
Juliana Adunola, and Elfrida Modupeola Campbell. My nieces and nephews, Olayide
Campbell, Oluwayemisi Campbell, Oluwabusayo, Emmanuel Kehinde and Emmanuela
Taiwo Campbell. My sister-in-law, Olamide Adegbite-Campbell, and Precious Adegbite.
Acknowledgments
All glory and honor belong to the YESHUA HA MACHIAC (Jesus Christ), my
SAVIOUR who made the completion of this dissertation possible. Philippians 1:6 says
that “being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will
accomplish it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Jehovah God, thank you for directing my
path. Where I was content with a master’s degree, You spoke through Your Holy Spirit
to continue my education, and a vision for a PhD was erected. Pastor Oyebukola Sobo, I
thank God for His Holy Spirit upon your life. As I pursued this vision, You stretched me
and grew my faith to trust in You continually. When it was difficult financially, when I
wanted to drop my classes, and when I was looking for financing from banks to obtain
loans, You spoke to me and said I should trust in You for my finances. I yielded to You,
and You made a way, where there seemed to be no way. I am a testimony; I am a miracle
because I trust in You. I finished my PhD without a school loan from banks or help from
my employer. Reverend Emmanuel Samson Oluwole, thank you for your constant
prayers, guidance, love, and words of encouragement. Pastor, you are more than a
spiritual mentor; you have taken me to a new spiritual height on the faithfulness of God.
You challenged me to trust God and see what He can and will do to provide the necessary
finances. Yes, God did show up because I believed; He gave me an everlasting fountain
of financial breakthrough, wealth, and peace. I pray that the purpose of this degree and
body of research shall be made manifest to Your glory and to propagate Your kingdom.
Indeed, this has been an incredible journey; I thank the Holy Spirit for guiding me
through this journey to a successful completion. Mark 9:23 states that “all things are
possible to him who believes.”
To my immediate family, Akintunde Obafemi Ojo, Oluwadamilola Oluwasegun
and Afrika Oluwatomilayo Oluwadamilare Ojo, who liberally encouraged me in my
academic efforts; words cannot enumerate how much I appreciate you for your love,
support and encouragement, and financial blessings. I thank God for bringing you into
my life; you are a blessing from God, and you bless me daily. The joy I perceived in
your spirit whenever we talked about my dissertation process, how frustrating it was, you
followed it with jokes, just to make me laugh and ease my mind. When I complained that
I could not go out to see my friends, your words of encouragement kept me grounded in
my goal and vision. My parents, Samuel Olasehinde Campbell and Elizabeth Campbell,
for instilling in me the importance of education and their support; my siblings, Omotayo,
Olajumoke, David Oluwasegun, Emmanuel Oluwabunmi, Solomon Akintunde, Elizabeth
Olayinka, Juliana Adunola, and Elfrida Modupeola Campbell. Dr. Erin Maughan,
director of research national association of school nurses for her assistance for the data
collection. Dr. Sharon Kurtz for her encouragement during the dissertation process. Mr.
Tunde Lawal, MBA/JD, for his assistance with the data analysis process.
I would like to thank the elementary school nurses involved in this study, who
shared their time with me, away from their families and busy schedules. I admired their
passion, commitment, and dedication to meet the needs of their students daily through
improvising and making it work. I am very grateful for their openness and receptivity to
my research.
I would like to thank my dissertation chair, Dr. Richard Jimenez, for his genuine
patience, kindness, and encouragement throughout this journey. You gave me a sense of
direction with feedback; your commitment to return drafts in a timely manner was
incomparable. Your commitment to students is apparent in the knowledge and timely
guidance you provide. I am grateful that you were chosen and accepted me into your
dissertation shell; you have truly been a blessing to me in my efforts to successfully
complete this project. My methodologist Dr. Patrick Tschida, and my university
reviewer, Dr. Raymond Thron for their candid advice and proper guidance during this
project. I would also like to thank my editor, Carey Brown.
Finally, I am grateful to and appreciate Walden University for the opportunity of
learn about the philosophy of social change and for instilling it in me. It has shifted my
thinking on a global level and empowered me to be a change agent in my field.
Table of Contents
List of Tables ................................................................................................................... viii
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Introduction ....................................................................................................................1
Background ....................................................................................................................4
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................6
Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................12
Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................14
Self-Efficacy ......................................................................................................... 15
Psychological Empowerment................................................................................ 16
Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................17
Definition of Terms......................................................................................................18
Assumptions .................................................................................................................22
Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................23
Limitation .....................................................................................................................23
Significance of the Study .............................................................................................25
Social Change Impact ..................................................................................................26
Summary ......................................................................................................................28
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................30
Introduction ..................................................................................................................30
Literature Research Strategy ........................................................................................32
Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................33
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