OUTCOME MEASURES OF GRADUATES OF A MASTER'S DEGREE IN NURSING PROGRAM: ASSESSING CONGRUENCE OF PERCEPTIONS OF GRADUATES AND EMPLOYERS.
Contributors: University of Delaware.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 218
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Education.
Description: To determine opportunities available for master's prepared nurses, an evaluation study of graduates of a master of science in nursing program was conducted. The study consisted of two phases. During Phase One the evaluation framework was designed based on Stufflebeam's CIPP Model of Evaluation and the Variable Matrix Approach. Phase Two consisted of the implementation of the evaluation framework. The setting for the study, a one year master of science in nursing program, had been in existence for six years during which time no major evaluation of the program had been undertaken.

The study focused on three interrelated components: (a) evaluation of the program, (b) employment opportunities, and (c) determination of competencies of master's prepared nurses. Using researcher-designed evaluation instruments, data were collected from three samples of subjects: alumni of the program, alumni's employers, and other employers of master's prepared nurses.

Findings revealed that alumni and employers rated the program very highly with alumni indicating that the program was more than adequate in helping them to meet their professional goals. Employers indicated they were highly satisfied with graduates of the program. Although 93% of the alumni were employed in nursing, only 12% were employed as clinical nurse specialist, the position for which their master's program had prepared them. Other positions held by the alumni included staff nurse, educator, and administrator. There was congruency in ratings among the alumni and employers in competencies specific for master's prepared nurses. Additionally, when asked to rate the competencies for ideal practice conditions versus actual practice conditions all groups rated each competency higher for ideal practice indicating that constraints on practice exist in employment settings.

The findings of this study indicate that job opportunities for master's prepared nurses do exist, though not necessarily in the functional role for which the individual was prepared. Since master's prepared nurses currently comprise less than 6% of all registered nurses in this country, master's educated nurses remain a luxury for many employment positions.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-08, Section: B, page: 2267.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE, 1987.

School code: 0060.