| The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge about the physical and behavioral aspects of aging and attitudes toward the elderly among selected oncology registered nurses in the United States. Data was collected from 247 oncology registered nurses who belonged to the Oncology Nursing Society, worked with adult clients and resided in 44 states across the United States. The primary sample represented 39 states, and the replicate sample represented 38 states across the United States. A three-part, 85-item questionnaire was used. This consisted of Facts on Aging Survey, the Old People Scales, and a demographics section. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, One-Way Analysis of Variance, and the Scheffe Post Hoc Test Analysis.;The knowledge levels of the combined sample of oncology registered nurses was 60.5%. The nurses had more positive attitudes toward the elderly than negative ones. Attitudes toward the elderly and knowledge about the elderly were related negatively. Oncology registered nurses with more positive attitudes toward the elderly had a lower number of correct answers. In reverse, this finding suggests that the more favorable the oncology registered nurses' attitudes appear to be, the less knowledgeable they were about the physical and behavioral aspects of aging.;Five characteristics were found to be significant relationships to knowledge and attitudes of the oncology registered nurses. Positive attitudes were related significantly to oncology registered nurses' highest level of education, current employment status, and years in oncology nursing. Negative attitude was related significantly to their highest level of education, years employed in nursing, and valued experiences with the elderly persons.;Findings of studies by other researchers concerning knowledge of ageism and attitudes toward the elderly and nurses' demographic characteristics have been inconsistent. In this study there were no significant relationships related to the following demographics: age, gender, race, type of employing institution, closeness to grandparents, and enjoyable experiences with other elderly people. Consequently, these results reflect the existing inconsistencies within the literature. The majority of the oncology registered nurses were white females in this study. However, age and race were not significantly related to knowledge and attitudes in this study.;This study suggests that nurses generally do not pursue life-long learning goals to keep current on health issues, the needs of the public in general, and specific issues and needs of the elderly. Many of the oncology registered nurses (65.7%) had not attended a continuing education program on geriatric content or issues within the last two years (1995--1997).;This study has shown a need for nurses in general and also other specialty nursing groups to receive geriatric content in Schools of nursing. Also, the workplace can offer educational programs to ensure supportive attitudes toward the elderly and appropriate knowledge of ageism. Secondly, nurses need to develop a positive philosophy contrary to the negative one held by society toward aging particularly with a cancer diagnosis. More research about knowledge of ageism and attitudes toward the elderly is needed to determine if other characteristics could be responsible for the nurses' knowledge of physical and behavioral aspects of aging and their attitudes toward the elderly. |
