Student satisfaction is one of the many Important factors that any academic institution must consider for it is very helpful in refining academic processes, improving the quality of education, and evaluating the institutional efficiency. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) measure Filipino students' levels of satisfaction in today's BSN program, and (2) see the satisfaction differences between those enrolled in private and government higher educational institutions (HEIs). A cross-sectional comparative design was used. A total of 505 nursing students from different private and government HEIs in Central Luzon were conveniently recruited during the 2nd semester of A.Y. 2012-2013. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were run using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Mean ratings showed that the students enrolled in both private and government HEIs are generally satisfied with their current baccalaureate program (x=4.02 and x=3.55 respectively). In addition, Mann-Whitney test revealed that there is a significant difference between the satisfaction levels of students enrolled in private and government nursing schools in satisfaction levels of students enrolled in private and government nursing schools in the Region (p<.05). Overall, students are satisfied with the in-class teaching , clinical teaching, the program itself, and the support and resources of their department. However, those enrolled in government HEIs have lower satisfaction ratings as compared to those enrolled in private nursing schools. Academic administrators must further develop the instructional competencies of the faculty, as well as improve nursing facilities and laboratories by making them well-equipped, adequately -staffed, and readily available to meet the needs of the students.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Education, Nursing ; Education, Professional ; Nursing

PURPOSE: The investigator sought to determine nurses' value orientation and intention to pursue graduate education, as well as their readiness for evidence-based practice.

METHOD: A descriptive correlational research design was used. Nurses (n=188) from different government and private healthcare institutions in Pampanga were purposefully selected to participate in this research undertaking. Three instruments were adopted: the Valuation of Graduate Studies Questionnaire, the Intention to Pursue Graduate Studies in Nursing Questionnaire, and the Nurses' Attitudes towards Evidence-Based Practice Scale and Knowledge Scale. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to analyze the gathered data.

FINDINGS: Based on the results, nurses still have some confidence in pursuing graduate studies in nursing although they intrinsically value graduate education. Interestingly, nurses have a positive and an above average attitude toward evidence-based practice. However, results also show that nurses only have average knowledge in evidence-based practice which may be due to limited opportunities for evidence-based capability-training and insufficient access to technical resources. Regression analysis yielded both intrinsic value and utility value significantly predicted nurses' attitude toward evidence-based practice; while intrinsic value is also a significant predictor of nurses' likelihood of pursuing graduate studies.

CONCLUSIONS: When nurses intrinsically value evidence-based practice, they become intensely involved in it and can continue practicing it for a long time. It was found out that nurses' intention to pursue graduate education did not significantly predict their readiness for evidence-based practice. The result is indicative that there is an inconsistency in translating intention to practice, known as the "intention-behavior gap".

Human ; Social Values ; Evidence-based Practice