A Study on Recognition and Attitudes toward the Social Service Activity of Nurses

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate recognition and attitudes about social service activity(SSA) of nurses.

Method: This was a descriptive study. The data was collected from July 15 to 31, 2002 by using a self-report questionnaire consisting of general characteristics(15items), recognition(24items) and attitude(23items) about SSA. The questionnaire was sent to 711 nurses of 38 hospitals in the Gyounggi province area, and 664 questionnaires were returned. The answer rate was 93.4%. The data was analyzed by the SPSS 12.0 Win program.

Result: Seventy-one percent of nurses had a SSA experience during university, but only 14.2% nurses participate in SSA now. The mean score of recognition of SSA was 3.58(0.45), and that of attitude was 3.70(0.42). The relationship between recognition and attitude had a positive correlation(r=.398, p=.000), the higher the score of recognition, the higher the score of attitude.

Conclusion: From these results, to improve nurses’ participation in SSA, research to investigate the barrier factors of SSA participation in spite of the high level of recognition and attitude is needed. Programs for nurses to participate in SSA and systemic management should be set up.