An enrolled nurse conversion course: does it make a difference?
OBJECTIVE
This study set out to investigate the effect of a conversion course on the careers of enrolled nurses.


BACKGROUND
Funding has been made available for nurses to convert from second level to first level registration. Managers need to know the value of this initiative.


METHODS
Questionnaires sent to a sample of 130 enrolled nurses and semi-structured interviews with eight nurses and one manager. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the questionnaires and themes identified from the transcripts of the interviews.


RESULTS
One year after completion, participants identified changes in grade, job and further study. Interviews revealed a developmental change in their personal and professional life. The depth of perceived prejudice towards them remains very powerful.


CONCLUSIONS
Converting to first level registration appears to have positive outcomes for most nurses in the study and has resulted in wider opportunities for their careers and professional development.
Hill
Y
Y
Department of Nursing, Canterbury Christ Church College, UK.
Macgregor
J
J
D002322:Career Mobility; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004518:Education, Professional, Retraining / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009743:Nursing, Practical / Q000193:education*; D011287:Prejudice; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires