(Philadelphia, PA) -- A research manuscript by Holy Family University MSN students Deborah Byrne, Christine Rosner, and Roxanne Mayo was accepted for publication in Nursing 2013, an award-winning journal dedicated to clinical and professional information and news.

“Our study was on the internal motivators of RNs returning for their BSN. We decided on this topic after doing literature review and finding very little research in this area,” said Byrne. “It was a small pilot study, but we had some significant findings.”

Byrne, Rosner, and Mayo found that the majority of their respondents projected that returning to school would be an unpleasant experience, and a quarter of them felt they were already adequately trained. However, nearly three-quarters of the respondents did indicate that they felt their jobs would be more secure if they pursued their BSN. On the other hand, only 33% felt that a higher nursing degree would translate into that nurse being more valued.

Forty percent were motivated by the potential of returning to school with a colleague, and 59% wanted support of someone important to them. Only 14% felt confident that they could do the work, while 50% feared failure. In the face of this, though, 50% also planned on returning to school within the next year.

“Nurses who associate the advancement of their degree with positive professional identity, empowerment, and professional or monetary advancement are more likely to return to school,” concluded Rosner.

Holy Family University currently offers BSN, RN-to-BSN, and MSN programs and will be launching a new 30-credit MSN program in August 2013.

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Holy Family University is a premier Catholic university of the liberal arts and professions with a main campus in Northeast Philadelphia and locations in Bensalem and Newtown, Pennsylvania. It has been recognized for providing outstanding undergraduate and graduate academic programs and professional career development in a faith-inspired, values-centered community. Founded in 1954 by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Holy Family University offers purpose-driven, engaged students the knowledge, values, and skills to help them find their place and purpose in today’s workplace and world.