Exploration of Personality Types of Family Nurse Practitioner Students

Abstract

Personality types and specialty selection have been identified in physicians who elect family practice. However data is not available for nurses who select Family Nurse Practitioner education. There is a 10% attrition of students who enter on-campus programs for Family Nurse Practitioner education and a 20% attrition rate for online students. Studies have been conducted on learning styles and performance of student’s education styles. Personality types of students have not been adequately studied. In order to assure the academic progress of nurses entering advanced education programs, it is imperative to examine personal differences that may affect their academic progression.

Objectives: To identify the personality types of students in Family Nurse Practitioner Education programs and to determine if a difference exists in the personality types of online vs. on-campus FNP students

Methodology

Design: A non-experimental cross sectional study of a convenience sample of 109 enrolled FNP students. The sample included twenty males (7 on-campus, 13 online) and 79 females (42 on-campus, 37 online) with a mean age online of 31.7 and on-campus of 33.29. Participants were recruited from private universities in the northeast and Tennessee.

Instrument: The Family Nurse Practitioner students were administered, anonymously, the Myers-Briggs, Form M personality inventory at the beginning of their advanced degree program.

Data Analysis:  Descriptive statistics of the frequencies of each personality type were compiled using SPSS version 19. Chi square statistical analysis was conducted.

Results

• FNP students were significantly more Sensing than Intuitive (p .000)
• FNP students were significantly Judging over Perceiving (p .013)

Conclusions

Results indicate predominantly “judging” and “Sensing” personality traits of combined cohorts. Larger samples are needed to determine if a statistical difference exists between the students in online vs. on-campus setting. The tendency of perceiving over judging on total profile that emerged in the on-campus cohort vs. the online cohort needs further investigation

Further research is needed to determine if student profiles are similar to practicing FNPs. Expanded research is needed to determine regional differences and academic success related to education format.  This data will assist faculty and institutions as the expansion into online education.