Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the motivational orientations (intrinsic motivation-to know, intrinsic motivation-toward accomplishment, intrinsic motivation-to experience stimulation, extrinsic motivation-identified, extrinsic motivation-introjected, extrinsic motivation-external regulation, and amotivation) of registered nurses who pursued a graduate degree. In addition, the study looked at the differences in demographic characteristics (age, income, and years of experience) and psychological needs (competence, relatedness, and autonomy). Lastly, it looked at the relationship between motivational orientations and psychological needs. The research problem included the following four questions: 1) are there differences between the motivational orientations of registered nurses who seek a master's versus those who seek a doctorate; 2) are there differences in demographic characteristics of those nurses pursuing a master's degree versus a doctoral degree; 3) are there differences in the psychological needs identified between those pursuing a master's versus a doctoral degree; and 4) is there a relationship between the types of motivational orientation and psychological needs? Results indicated no statistical differences in the motivational orientations reported by registered nurses who pursued a doctoral or master's degree. Registered nurses seeking a master's or doctoral degree scored the highest on intrinsic motivation-to know, extrinsic motivation-identified second, and third on intrinsic motivation-toward accomplishment. There were no significant differences in the three demographic characteristics self-reported by the nurses pursuing a master's degree or doctoral degree. Results revealed that there were no significant differences in the three psychological needs for these nurses. Results also revealed that there was a significant correlation between both extrinsic motivation-introjected and intrinsic motivation-experience stimulation to autonomy. In addition, there was a significant correlation between both extrinsic motivation-introjected and intrinsic motivation-experience stimulation and relatedness. Lastly, there was a significant correlation between intrinsic motivation-to know and competence.
