A synthesis of Vroomʹs model with other social theories: An application to nursing education

Summary 9, the National League for Nursing reported that there are over 3.4 million persons in the United States employed in nursing in the roles of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Nurses (APRNs). In 2007, the Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that in 2006, there were over 749,000 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) working in the United States with a projected increase of 14% by 2016. Buerhaus et al, in 2009, stated that between 2016 and 2025, it is estimated that the U.S. will need over 260,000 registered nurses (RNs) Using the conceptual framework of Vroomʹs expectancy theory on motivation as well as theories addressing student and career development, this paper demonstrates a synthesis of Vroomʹs model with other educational theories and its application to nursing education, specifically the prediction of motivation to advance oneʹs nursing education. By putting Vroomʹs theory into a context, Vroomʹs fairly simple model could help nurse educators predict the factors that make for success in midcareer educational advancement — and even possibly manipulate those factors to increase that success. In todayʹs economy, that practical part seems too good to lose.