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 (rathe r than a nursing degree) were satisfied, retrospectively, with the usefulne ss of this type of deg ree to their professional development and career pro gress. The investigation also examined if these graduates were remaining in nursing, if they were active in nursing research, and the role of their em ployers in the choice of degree course. Questionnaires were sent to in cohorts of nurse graduates from one health s cience 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 p erformance. Almost all the graduates had remained in nursing; many had been involved in carrying out research, or hoped to be research-active in futur e. 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 experi ence for nurses. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.