HOW DO NURSE EDUCATORS RESPOND TO THE CHALLENGES AND CHANGES IN THEIRWORKING LIFE IN FINLAND

In the present study nurse educators were asked to comment via a quest ionnaire on the characteristics deriving from earlier results and how they experience the present situation in their working life, and how t hey see the future. Data from 65 (63% of 104) educators were analysed. The earlier results, in the form of statements describing the best an d the worst things in nurse educators' working life, were generally co rroborated by respondents. The best things were students, freedom and challenges, and the worst things were workload, inadequacy of personal resources and administrative issues at work. Agreement was most clear on the workload being the worst thing in nurse educators' working lif e (52 out of 65). The explanations for agreement and disagreement were much the same as those given in previous studies. Regarding the prese nt situation and the most important thing that needs attention in nurs e educators' working life in Finland, nurse educators named continuous and too rapid changes. These results are related to workload, excessi ve demands and stress, competition, feelings of insecurity, and everla sting pressure to educate oneself. On the other hand, one's perception of working life is a very personal issue, and some educators who cope with it keep challenges as possibilities and enjoy them.