ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to identify the motivation for continued learning and degree attainment in online degree advancement (DA) respiratory care students (those with an associate degree pursuing a bachelor's degree) during a pandemic and the types of support needed for academic success in the online learning environment. The design of the study was convergent mixed-methods descriptive survey research. Items from the Academic Motivation Scale-College Version (AMS-C) were used to assess the construct. Additionally, open-ended questions allowed for narrative responses related to the pandemic pressures, motivation regulation, and faculty support. One hundred twenty-three students completed various components of the survey. Respondents were both intrinsically and extrinsically motivated to continue to pursue their advanced degrees despite the pandemic. Students self-identified as being determined to achieve their goals and that support from family, friends, colleagues, and faculty helped them achieve their goals along with their instructors' flexibility which helped ensure student success during the pandemic. Despite the pandemic, respiratory therapy (RT) students pursuing an advanced degree are self-determined and have a genuine love of learning, which helps regulate their motivation to continue. DA students in respiratory care appreciated flexible and supportive instructors in meeting their academic needs. © Common Ground Research Networks, Kristen McHenry, Thomas J. Wing.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify the presence of burnout in online degree advancement Respiratory Care students during a pandemic and characteristics/strategies of resiliency. Method: The design of the study was quantitative;non-experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional survey research. The Maslach Burnout Inventory for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS (MP) and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) were used to measure these constructs. Results: One hundred and twenty-nine (129) students completed components of the survey for a response rate of approximately 28%. Relevant findings include a somewhat higher level of depersonalization for those who practice in adult acute care. Emotional exhaustion was higher in those who reported working directly with COVID-19 patients. Depersonalization was higher in the younger aged professionals (18-40 years). Resilience was found to have a negative correlation with both emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and a positive correlation with personal accomplishment. Conclusions: Findings support the need for training and education on emotional intelligence and opportunities to practice mindfulness-based stress reduction. Additionally, workload reductions and adequate time for recovery may help alleviate the emotional exhaustion of working respiratory therapists who are pursuing an advanced degree online.