Does a multi-disciplinary health degree provide a satisfactory post-registration course for nurses? A follow-up survey of health science studies graduates.
The purpose of this investigation was to find out if nurses who had chosen to take a particular post-registration health science studies degree (rather than a nursing degree) were satisfied, retrospectively, with the usefulness of this type of degree to their professional development and career progress. The investigation also examined if these graduates were remaining in nursing, if they were active in nursing research, and the role of their employers in the choice of degree course. Questionnaires were sent to 10 cohorts of nurse graduates from one health science studies course. The idea to study for a degree had usually come from the nurses themselves, and most employers had taken little interest in the course content. The nurses showed a high level of satisfaction with their chosen course and considered that it had significantly improved their job performance. Almost all the graduates had remained in nursing; many had been involved in carrying out research, or hoped to be research-active in future. More than half the respondents had gained a post-graduate qualification or were in the process of studying for one. It is suggested from the evidence gathered that in this case a broad health degree seems to have provided a useful and satisfactory educational experience for nurses.
Brown
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Health and Life Sciences Division, Centre for Healthcare Education, University College Northampton, Park Campus, Boughton Green Road, Northampton NN2 7AL, UK. susan.brown@northampton.ac.uk
D000328:Adult; D002322:Career Mobility; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003625:Data Collection; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012106:Research / Q000193:education*; D006113:United Kingdom