Perceiving and practicing the nature of nursing in Poland.

Summary: Introduction: The social and political transition taking place in Poland during the last decade has resulted in changes in the system of education. The results of empirical studies indicate that both the system of education and the period of its transition exerted an influence on the qualifications of nurses. Aim: The focus of the study was the relationship between the selected education factors and the occupational experience of nurses. Methods: The study was conducted by the method of a diagnostic survey with the use of the authors’ version of a questionnaire form. The variables were tested by means of chi-square test and Spearman’s correlation test. The investigations covered a group of 324 occupationally active nurses in area of the city of Lublin. Conclusions: The analysis indicates that among many variables concerning education and occupational improvement, only the type of education (1st and 2nd level of occupational differentiation) has a statistically significant effect on auto-defining of nursing in the the nature of occupational activities performed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]