The Effect of Certification on the Use of Imagery
Graduation Date
2005
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Nursing
Department or Program Chair
Barbara Ganley, PhD
Thesis Advisor
Barbara Ganley, PhD, RN, HNC
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a 110 hour certification program on the use of guided imagery in clinical nursing practice. To determine how effective and safe nurses rate the use of guided imagery in clinical practice.
METHODS: This study used a descriptive non-experimental, research study design. A mailing list was obtained from the Beyond Ordinary Nursing Organization and a survey packet was mailed to each of the 152 nurses certified in guided imagery. Analysis of the data was completed on SPSS version 12.0 statistical software.
RESULTS: A total of 71 (47%) returned completed research surveys. Nurses increased their use of guided imagery from 10.9% to 35.7% after completion of the certification program. This represents an increase 24.7%, t(71)=8.6, p<.001. Nurses rated the effectiveness of guided imagery at 80%. Nurses rated safety of guided imagery at 90%. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that Certification in the Beyond Ordinary Nursing Program in Imagery increases the use of imagery in clinical practice. High ratings by nurses for the effectiveness and safety of guided imagery provide support for the use ot imagery in clinical practice. Future studies would benefit from an increase in the size and the diversity of the research sample population.