title: How can we compare graduate and non-graduate nurses? A review of the literature.
abstract: This paper reviews some of the literature comparing the graduates or 'end-products' of two or more nurse education programmes. The main focus of the paper is how graduate and non-graduate nurses may be compared. Since the amount of literature in this field in the United Kingdom is limited, much of that reviewed is from the USA. The paper demonstrates that there are many problems associated with evaluating the 'end-products' of nurse education programmes, particularly when quantitative approaches are taken. It appears that future work may benefit from a more qualitative approach.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing Studies, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bircumshaw
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004507:Education, Nursing, Associate / Q000592:standards*; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000592:standards*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States