From Nurse to Nurse Anesthetist: The Relationship of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity to Professional Socialization and Career Commitment of Advanced Practice Nurses

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship of culture, race, and ethnicity on professional socialization and career commitment of student registered nurse anesthetists. A 78-item, self-administered questionnaire was mailed to the United States population of student nurse anesthetists ( N = 2,008) yielding a 56% response. Demographic data and the dimensions of socialization were analyzed with chi-square and weighted least-squares linear analysis of variance. Four scales assessed the relationship of age, gender, culture/race/ethnicity, and views of culturally congruent care on the socialization process. In all dimensions of socialization, culture and race/ethnicity both correlated significantly (p < .05) for all nondominant groups compared to the dominant European American White group. Responses from Asian-Pacific Islanders were most positively correlated to all dimensions of socialization. Hispanics responded least positively to a lifetime commitment to the career in nurse anesthesia by culture (p = .003) and ethnicity (p = .009).