Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS) Exit Survey: Graduates of the NEPS Program in the 2008­2009 Academic Year Prepared for The College of Nursing of the University of Saskatchewan, the Nursing Division of the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, and the Health Sciences Department of the First Nations University of Canada Final Report Class of 2008­09 Acknowledgments We wish to acknowledge the support and direction from the Deans of the Nursing
Education Program of Saskatchewan:
Dean Lorna Butler
College of Nursing
University of Saskatchewan
Dean Netha Dyck
Nursing Division
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied
Science and Technology
Acting Director Carrie Lavallie
Dept. of Health Sciences
First Nations University of Canada
and the members of the Ad Hoc Advisory Team:
Lorna Butler, College of Nursing
Karen Wright, College of Nursing
Marlene Smadu, College of Nursing
June Anonson, College of Nursing
Margaret Olfert, Nursing Division, SIAST
Netha Dyck, Nursing Division, SIAST
Chris Barlow, Nursing Division, SIAST
Carrie Lavallie, First Nations University of Canada
We also wish to acknowledge the Financial Support from the following:
Saskatchewan Health and Saskatchewan Learning
Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association
Saskatchewan Union of Nurses
The final report prepared by Insightrix, Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan
(NEPS) Exit Survey: Graduates of the 2008-2009 Academic Year Final Report is available
from the College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, the Nursing Division,
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, or the Dept. of Health
Sciences, First Nations University of Canada. These reports are available on the College
of Nursing website at http://www.usask.ca/nursing/NEPS/reports.htm
Project Coordination Team
Linda Ferguson, (CofN), Lois Berry (CofN), Don Froese (SIAST), and Anthony de Padua,
(First Nations University of Canada [FNUniv])
Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS) Employment Exit Survey: Graduates of the NEPS Program in the 2008­2009 Academic Year Prepared for The College of Nursing of the University of Saskatchewan, the Nursing Division of the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, and the Health Sciences Department of the First Nations University of Canada Executive Summary Class of 2008­09 Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Executive Summary This report summarizes the results of the 2008-2009 Graduate Exit Survey for the Nursing
Education Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS). This is the seventh exit survey that has been
conducted; in this report, we examine anticipated employment and graduate
expectations at program completion. This report includes comparisons with the 20042005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007, and 2007-2008 exit surveys.
Response Rate The survey was conducted online by e-mail invitation sent to 303 NEPS graduates of
whom 228 completed the survey, giving a 75.2% response rate overall. This report
summarizes the results for graduates in the regular NEPS stream; a report summarizing
results for the SDEO graduates is available in a separate document.
Demographics and Satisfaction Over nine in ten (92.5%) plan to register with the SRNA. Most graduates are female
(94.3%) while one in twenty is male (5.7%). A total of 43.4% were married or living
common law at completion of the NEPS program while 54.4% were single and never
married at that time. In total, 13.7% of respondents (31 respondents) are of aboriginal
ancestry. Of those, three (3.6%) graduated from Regina, sixteen (13.2%) graduated from
Saskatoon and twelve (54.5%) graduated from Prince Albert.
Overall, satisfaction with the NEPS program remains high with three quarters (75.9%) of
graduates being either satisfied or very satisfied with their experience with the program.
Two thirds (64.8%) of graduates feel NEPS prepared them either somewhat or very well for
their nursing career. Six in ten (63.2%) plan to pursue graduate studies.
Experience Prior to and During the NEPS Program One in five (18.4%) had prior health care education before starting the NEPS program.
Among those, 39.8% had worked in health care in some fashion.
One half of respondents entered the program in Saskatoon (49.6%), 38.6% entered in
Regina and 11.8% entered in Prince Albert. Three quarters (78.5%) received a scholarship
or bursary before entering and most scholarships (58.1%) were from the government. Four
in ten (42.5%) entered directly from high school, while one third (33.8%) had some
university classes, but not a university degree.
Prior to starting the program at NEPS, six in ten (59.2%) were going to school, while 36.4%
were working prior to the program. Six in ten (60.2%) report working in the health care
i
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
field before entered the NEPS program. Seven in ten (72.4%) were single and never
married when they entered the program.
Experience During the NEPS Program Most respondents (78.1%) started the program in 2005. On average, respondents were 23
years old when starting, while one quarter (23.2%) were responsible for at least one
dependent.
Four in ten (43.9%) indicate they had a home relocation while attending the NEPS
program, while 40.8% experienced the illness or death of a family member or friend.
Slightly more than one half (54.8%) worked as a senior assistant during the program.
Additionally, three quarters had a job while enrolled that was not a senior assistant,
higher than results demonstrated in previous years.
About one half of respondents (53.5%) graduated from their program in Saskatoon. One
third (36.8%) graduated in Regina and 9.6% in Prince Albert. Seven in ten (71.9%) had a
job as a graduate nurse confirmed at the time of the survey, notably lower than results in
2008 (88.7%) and 2007 (85.4%).
Your Job Search and Anticipated Employment In terms of average ratings for five different aspects of their first job, where 1 is ‘not at all
ideal’ and 5 is ‘very ideal’, location continues to receive the highest average rating (4.5
out of 5) followed by responsibilities (4.3) and work environment (4.3).
Nineteen out of twenty (93.9%) plan to stay in Saskatchewan after graduation. A majority
(78.1%) plan to work in an urban area, a continually rising proportion compared to
previous years. Family and community commitments are referenced by 57.0% of
graduates as one of the top three factors influencing the choice of work location.
The most effective job search strategy graduates report is clinical work, with six in ten
(58.8%) referencing this strategy. One half (51.2%) received a job offer from the unit they
were employed as a senior assistant, notably less than in 2008 (64.6%) and 2007 (75.0%).m
Similar to other years, 64.5% received job offers from their 4th year practicum placements.
Only 71.9% had jobs confirmed at the time of the survey, a dramatic decrease from the
88.7% in 2008, and a reversal of the previously increasing percentages of the previous
four years.
One quarter (26.3%) report that finding a job was more difficult than expected, a notably
higher proportion than in 2008 (15.2%) and in 2007 (11.8%). Notably, in 2009, 26.1% of
graduates accepted positions in Emergency or Critical Care Units, a noticeable increase
over recent years.
ii
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Three quarters (74.1%) expect to work regular full-time hours in their first job as a graduate
nurse. Eight in ten (81.6%) are employed as per their preference for hours, including 97.6%
of those who work regular full time hours. A majority of respondents (86.0%) will be
employed at one site and three quarters (74.3%) will be working at a general hospital
with 100 beds or more. Most graduates (96.2%) will be working as a staff nurse and a
similar majority (96.7%) indicated they will be providing direct care. The particular area of
care that is most common is the medical/surgical area of direct care, with six in ten
(61.2%) indicating this will be their primary area. Only one in twenty (4.9%) will work in a
forensic setting.
On average, respondents expect to work 36 hours per week (full time hours). Income
expectations continue to increase, with one third (32.0%) expecting to earn between
$50,000 and $59,000 compared to one quarter (26.0%) in 2008.
iii
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................I RESPONSE RATE ............................................................................................................................................... I DEMOGRAPHICS AND SATISFACTION ..................................................................................................................... I EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO AND DURING THE NEPS PROGRAM ....................................................................................... I EXPERIENCE DURING THE NEPS PROGRAM .......................................................................................................... II YOUR JOB SEARCH AND ANTICIPATED EMPLOYMENT .............................................................................................. II TABLE OF CONTENTS ..............................................................................................................................I INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................................1 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................... 1 SCOPE OF WORK ............................................................................................................................................ 1 SURVEY DESIGN.............................................................................................................................................. 1 SURVEY DISTRIBUTION ..................................................................................................................................... 1 RESPONSE RATES AND CONFIDENCE INTERVALS .................................................................................................... 2 RESEARCH NOTE ............................................................................................................................................. 2 REPORTING NOTE ........................................................................................................................................... 2 KEY FINDINGS........................................................................................................................................3 PRIOR TO STARTING THE NEPS PROGRAM .......................................................................................................... 3 1c. Did you have any previous education in the health care field prior to starting the NEPS program?
.............................................................................................................................................................. 3 2. Please identify your previous education in the health care field (check as many as apply)............. 4 3. What was your highest educational achievement prior to starting the program?........................... 5 4. Please specify the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificates (including field of study) you held prior to starting the program:............................................................................................................................ 6 5. What was your major activity in the year before starting NEPS? ..................................................... 6 6. Was this work in the health care field?............................................................................................. 7 DURING THE NEPS PROGRAM .......................................................................................................................... 8 7. What year did you start your NEPS program: ................................................................................... 8 8. What was your age when you entered the NEPS program? ............................................................. 9 9. What was your marital status when you entered the NEPS program?........................................... 11 9b. Did you have dependents during the program?............................................................................ 12 9b. How many dependents and what is their current age? ................................................................ 13 10. What was the program site at entry to the NEPS program? ........................................................ 13 11. Please indicate if you experienced any of the following significant life changes during the NEPS program? (check all that apply) .......................................................................................................... 14 12. Did you work as a Senior Assistant during your NEPS program? .................................................. 15 13. Did you have a job, other than as a Senior Assistant, while in the NEPS program? ..................... 16 14‐17. On average, how many hours a week did you work at your job? ............................................ 17 18. Did you receive any scholarships or bursaries during the program? ............................................ 18 19. What was the total dollar value of scholarships or bursaries you received during the NEPS program? ............................................................................................................................................ 19 20. What was the major source of your scholarship/bursary support? .............................................. 20 21. Did you obtain any student or educational loans during the program? ....................................... 21 22. What was the total dollar value of your student or educational loans at completion of the NEPS program? ............................................................................................................................................ 22 24. What was your program site at graduation from the NEPS program?......................................... 23 YOUR JOB SEARCH AND ANTICIPATED EMPLOYMENT ........................................................................................... 24 Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
25. At this time, do you have a job as a graduate nurse confirmed?.................................................. 24 26‐30. If you have confirmed employment, to what extent does your first job meet your ideal preferences, where '1' is not at all to '5' being highly ideal? .............................................................. 25 31. Name the (one) most positive aspect of your first job. ................................................................. 27 32. Within the first 6 months after graduation, do you expect to be: ................................................ 28 33. If you do not expect to be employed as a nurse in the first 6 months after completing the NEPS program, what is the MAIN reason why? ........................................................................................... 28 The two responses entered under “other” include:............................................................................. 28 34. What is/would likely be the geographical location of your first job as a graduate nurse?........... 30 35. Please specify whether the location of your first job as a graduate nurse is/would likely be:...... 31 36. Please rank the top 3 factors that influenced your choice of work location for your first job as a nurse, with 1 being most important and 3 being least important: ..................................................... 32 37. Which strategy has been most useful in your job search? ............................................................ 33 38. Did you get a job offer from a unit where you were employed as a Senior Assistant?................. 34 39. Did you get a job offer from a unit where you had your 4th year senior practicum experiences?. 35 40. How does your experience in finding your first job compare with your expectations?................. 36 41. What will be the work hours of your first job as a graduate nurse? ............................................. 37 42. Is being employed on this basis your preference?......................................................................... 38 43. When you start your first nursing job, what do you expect will be the length of your orientation (including "buddy" shifts)? .................................................................................................................. 39 44. How many sites will you/do you expect to work at for your first job as a graduate nurse? ......... 40 45. What type of organization will you be working at? ...................................................................... 41 46. What is your position? .................................................................................................................. 42 47. What is your main area of responsibility?..................................................................................... 42 47a. In what area will you provide nursing care: ................................................................................ 43 48. On average, how many hours per week will you work?................................................................ 44 GENERAL QUESTIONS .......................................................................................................................... 46 50. Are you registering with any of the following associations (check all that apply)? ...................... 46 51. What is your gender?.................................................................................................................... 47 52. Where did you grow up? ............................................................................................................... 48 53. Are you of Aboriginal ancestry? .................................................................................................... 49 54. You indicated you are of Aboriginal ancestry; please indicate if you are: .................................... 50 55. What is your current marital status? ............................................................................................ 50 56. How satisfied are you with your educational experience in the NEPS program?.......................... 51 57. How well do you believe your educational program has prepared you for nursing practice? ...... 52 58. Do you plan to pursue graduate studies (Masters/PhD) at some time in the future? .................. 52 59. Do you have any additional comments regarding the education you received in the NEPS program? ............................................................................................................................................ 54 APPENDIX A ........................................................................................................................................ 56 Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Introduction and Methodology Goals and Objectives The purpose of this survey is to track the progress of students through NEPS and identify
the career paths of Saskatchewan basic nursing education graduates. The goals include
the following:
• Establish employment profiles of graduates and to identify trends over time
• Identify graduates’ perceptions of preparation and support for entry into the
workforce
• Explore details of the job search process
Dr. Linda Ferguson obtained ethical approval for the individual phases of this project
from the University of Saskatchewan Advisory Committee on Ethics in Behavioral Science
Research. This report includes the results of the Exit Survey for the graduates of the 20082009 academic year and compares them to the results of the 2004-2005, 2005-2006,
2006-2007, and 2007-2008 NEPS Exit surveys.
Scope of Work The College of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan, the Nursing Division of the
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), and Department of
Health Sciences at the First Nations University of Canada contracted Insightrix Research,
Inc. to conduct research with the 2008-2009 Nursing Education Program of
Saskatchewan (NEPS) graduates. The survey was conducted primarily online.
Survey Design
The questions asked of graduates were similar to the previous NEPS Exit survey of 2008.
The questionnaire was designed by the NEPS Database Coordinating Committee.
Insightrix programmed the survey for online survey administration and distributed the
invitation to complete the survey questionnaire by e-mail to the graduates.
Survey Distribution
Insightrix received e-mail addresses of the graduating NEPS students and each potential
respondent was sent a personalized e-mail with a link to the survey.
The data collection was divided into three phases. The survey was administered to
graduates at the end of their NEPS program, either in September 2008 (for October
graduates), November 2008 (for December graduates), or March 2009 (for April
graduates). Reminder e-mails were sent to those who did not respond to the first
invitation.
1
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Response Rates and Confidence Intervals The survey was conducted online by an e-mail invitation sent to graduates of the class of
2008-2009. Of the 300 graduates, 228 completed the survey, giving an overall response
rate of 76.0%. Given this response rate, we can be 95% sure that the results reported are
within +3.2 percentage points of the actual population figures, finite population
correction factor applied.
Research Note Due to extremely small sample sizes of results within Prince Albert, all findings from this
region should be interpreted as directional.
Reporting Note
For ease in reporting results in graphs and tables throughout this report, the following
labels will be used:
Graph / Table Label
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Graduating Class
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
2
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Key Findings Prior to Starting the NEPS Program 1c. Did you have any previous education in the health care field prior to starting the NEPS program? Approximately two in ten graduates (18.4%) had previous education in the health care
field prior to starting the NEPS program. This is slightly more than in 2008 and represents a
slight adjustment to the trend of slight decline in previous years.
Figure 1- Previous education in the health care field
3
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
2. Please identify your previous education in the health care field (check as many as apply) Among respondents who have previous experience in the health care field (18.4% of the
sample), eleven were licensed practical nurses, six were health care or home care aides,
four worked in a volunteer program, and three were lab techs or EMT’s. Twenty-three
respondents report a variety of other responses. Please see Appendix A for a full list of
these responses.
Table 1 - Previous health care experience for those respondents who reported previous health care
education
Previous health care experience Licensed Practical Nurse 2005 n = 26 11.5% 2006 n = 25 20.0% 2007 n = 33 30.3% 2008 n = 30 10.0% 2009 n = 42 26.2% Health Care or Home Care Aide 15.4% 52.0% 24.2% 6.7% 14.3% Volunteer Program 30.8% 8.0% 9.1% 3.3% 9.5% Lab tech /EMT 19.2% 8.0% 6.1% 13.3% 7.1% Other 61.5% 36.0% 48.5% 70.0% 54.8% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% The following are the responses under “other”:
A number of years in Kinesiology Anatomy and Physiology Another nursing program Arts and Sciences First Responder Four‐year program at U of S. I was in first year Respiratory Therapy prior to NEPS. Kinesiology Massage Therapist Massage Therapy Medical Assistant in the military. Kinesiology program. Medical Office Assistant Optometric Assistant Paramedic, instructor Pre‐pharmacy Previously started a diploma nursing program. Psychology Registered Massage Therapist Registered Nurse Remedial Massage Therapy Residential / Vocational Services Worker Special care aid in hospital and LTC, LTC activities worker. X‐Ray Tech 4
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
3. What was your highest educational achievement prior to starting the program? Four in ten (42.5%) respondents in 2009 report their highest level of education prior to
starting the NEPS program was a high school diploma. One third (33.8%) report they had
completed some university classes, while 14.1% have either taken courses or completed
a diploma or certificate at a technical institution such as SIAST.
Table 2 - Prior educational experience
Prior educational experience 2005 n = 134 36.6% 2006 n = 105 28.6% 2007 n = 178 39.3% 2008 n = 204 38.7% 2009 n = 228 42.5% SIAST (or other Technical Institute) courses 0.7% 1.9% 1.7% 0.5% 1.8% SIAST (or other Technical Institute) diploma/certificate Some university classes 15.7% 14.3% 15.7% 15.7% 12.3% 41.8% 46.7% 36.5% 38.2% 33.8% University baccalaureate (Under‐Graduate) degree 5.2% 7.6% 6.7% 6.9% 8.8% Masters degree 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.9% Partial PhD 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% PhD 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% High school diploma 5
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
4. Please specify the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificates (including field of study) you held prior to starting the program: Prior to starting the NEPS program, respondents held a wide variety of degrees, diplomas
or certificates. Nine held a Bachelor of Arts and seven a Bachelor of Science.
A full list of degrees, diplomas, and certificates achieved by respondents can be found in
Appendix A.
5. What was your major activity in the year before starting NEPS? Six in ten (59.2%) report they were attending school the year prior to starting NEPS, while
an additional one third (36.4%) were working. Trends in 2009 appear to be contrary to
the upward trend of those who were attending school just prior to enrolling in the NEPS
program over the past three years of data collection (ranging from 55.2% to 63.7% in
2006 to 2008 to 59.2% in 2009).
Table 3 - Major activity in the year before starting NEPS
Major activity before starting NEPS Going to school 2005 n = 134 62.7% 2006 n = 105 55.2% 2007 n = 178 59.6% 2008 n = 204 63.7% 2009 n = 229 59.2% Working 35.1% 41.9% 37.1% 32.4% 36.4% Household responsibilities 2.2% 2.9% 3.4% 3.9% 4.4% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total 6
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
6. Was this work in the health care field? Among the 83 respondents who reporting working prior to starting NEPS, four in ten
(39.8%) were working in the health care field. This represents an increase over results from
the previous three years (34.1% in 2006, 33.3% in 2007, and 25.8% in 2008).
Figure 2 - Working in health care prior to NEPS
7
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
During the NEPS Program
7. What year did you start your NEPS program: Four in five (78.1%) started their program in 2005.
Table 4 - Program start date
What year did you start your NEPS program? 1999 Count Percent 1 0.4% 2000 0 0.0% 2001 0 0.0% 2002 1 0.4% 2003 8 3.5% 2004 36 15.8% 2005 178 78.1% 2006 4 1.8% 2007 0 0.0% Total 228 100.0% 8
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
8. What was your age when you entered the NEPS program? The average age of entry into the NEPS program in among 2009 respondents is 22.8 years
old with a median of 21 years old, in line with the averages in 2008 (21.9) 2007 (22.9), 2006
(21.8), and 2005 (20.8).
Figure 3 - Age when entering NEPS
9
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
The average age of starting the program was generally consistent between Saskatoon
(21.9%) and Regina (22.6%), while Prince Albert has a slightly higher mean at 26.7 years
old.
Table 5 - Age started by program site at graduation
Program site at NEPS graduation Regina n=84 Mean Median Age started program 22.6 20 Saskatoon n=122 Mean Median 21.9 20 Prince Albert* n=22 Mean Median 26.7 26 * Low sample size
10
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
9. What was your marital status when you entered the NEPS program? Seven in ten respondents report they were single when they entered the NEPS program,
slightly fewer than respondents in 2008 (79.9%).
Table 6 - Marital status when entering the NEPS program
Marital status when entering the NEPS program Single 2005 n = 134 84.3% 2006 n = 105 80.0% 2007 n = 178 73.6% 2008 n = 204 79.9% 2009 n = 228 72.4 % Married or Common Law 13.4% 19.0% 23.0% 17.6% 25.4 % Separated 1.5% 0.0% 1.1% 0.0% 0.0 % Divorced 0.7% 1.0% 2.2% 2.5% 2.2 % Widow(er) 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0 % 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0 % Total Saskatoon graduates are slightly more likely to have been single upon entering the
program (79.7%) compared to Regina graduates (70.5%).
Table 7 - Marital status by program site at graduation Marital status Program site at NEPS graduation Regina Count Percent Saskatoon Count Percent Prince Albert Count Percent Single Married/Common Law/Living Together Divorced 62 24 70.5% 27.3% 90 21 79.7% 18.6% 13 13 48.2% 48.2% 2 2.0% 2 2.0% 1 4.0% Separated 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Widow(er) 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Total 88 100.0% 113 100.0% 27 100.0% 11
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
9b. Did you have dependents during the program? About one quarter (23.2%) of respondents cared for dependents while enrolled in the
NEPS program, consistent with findings from previous years.
Figure 4 - Had dependents during the program
Having dependents while enrolled in the program is generally consistent between
Saskatoon (37.7%) and Regina (30.2%).
Table 8 – Cared for dependents during program by program site at NEPS graduation Did you have dependents during the program? Yes Program site at NEPS graduation Regina Saskatoon Prince Albert Count Percent Count Percent Count Percent 15 17.9% 23 18.9% 15 68.2% No 69 82.1% 99 81.1% 7 31.8% Total 84 100.0% 122 100.0% 22 100.0% 12
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
9b. How many dependents and what is their current age? Among those respondents who report having dependents, the average number of
dependents is 2.4 per respondent. The range of ages for dependents runs from 0 to 51.
One respondent indicated that they take care of two elderly dependents (ages 47 and
51). The average age of young dependents is 9 with a median of 8 years old.
10. What was the program site at entry to the NEPS program? The most common entry location to the NEPS program is Saskatoon, with one half of
respondents (49.6%) entering the NEPS program in this location. One in four (38.6%)
entered in Regina, while one in ten (11.8%) entered in Prince Albert.
Figure 5 - Program site at entry
13
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
11. Please indicate if you experienced any of the following significant life changes during the NEPS program? (check all that apply) One in four (43.9%) respondents relocated during the NEPS program, while an additional
one in four (40.8%) experienced the illness or death of a family member or friend. Only
17.5% experienced a change in marital status and one in five (20.6%) report experiencing
no significant life changes during the program.
Table 9 - Life changes during NEPS
Life changes during NEPS 2005 n= 134 Percent 2006 n = 105 Percent 2007 n = 178 Percent 2008 n = 204 Percent 2009 n = 228 Percent Home relocation 47.8% 45.7% 50.6% 48.5% 43.9% Illness or death of a family member or friend 50.0% 56.2% 38.2% 47.5% 40.8% Change in marital status 19.4% 24.8% 24.7% 27.0% 17.5% Uncertainty of Nursing as your profession 21.6% 27.6% 20.2% 25.0% 19.3% Care giving for dependent children or adults 12.7% 20.0% 21.3% 18.1% 18.0% Birth of child 2.2% 4.8% 9.0% 10.3% 6.6% Major personal illness or disability 11.2% 14.3% 7.9% 8.3% 10.1% Other, (please specify) 10.4% 1.9% 6.7% 4.9% 2.6% None 20.1% 12.4% 21.3% 17.6% 20.6% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total 14
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
12. Did you work as a Senior Assistant during your NEPS program? Over one half of respondents (54.8%) worked as a senior assistant during their NEPS
program. While these findings are consistent with findings in 2008, they are slightly higher
than findings in 2005 – 2007.
Figure 6 - Worked as senior assistant
Two thirds of students in Saskatoon (64.6%) and Prince Albert (63.0%) worked as a senior
assistant compared less than one half (39.8%) of students in Regina.
Table 10 - Program site at NEPS graduation by worked as senior assistant
What was the
program site at
entry to the NEPS
program?
Did you work as a Senior Assistant during your NEPS program?
Yes
No
Count
Percent Count
Percent Regina
35
39.8%
53
60.2%
Saskatoon
73
64.6%
40
35.4%
Prince Albert
17
63.0%
10
37.0%
Total
125
54.8%
103
45.2%
15
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
13. Did you have a job, other than as a Senior Assistant, while in the NEPS program? Three quarters (75.9%) had a job other than a senior assistant while in the NEPS program.
Figure 7 - Had a job while in NEPS
16
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
14­17. On average, how many hours a week did you work at your job? A total of 68.4% respondents had jobs in at least one year of their NEPS program. On
average, respondents worked between 15 and 20 hours per week in the four years of
their program.
Table 11 - Hours worked per week
Hours worked per week Mean Median 19.1 19 Second year 17.8 16 Third year 16.5 15 Fourth year 15.4 14 First year 17
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
18. Did you receive any scholarships or bursaries during the program? Three quarters of NEPS students (78.5%) have received a scholarship or bursary, slightly
higher than those in 2007(69.2%) but in line with those in 2008 (75.5%).
Figure 8 - Received scholarships during the program
18
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
19. What was the total dollar value of scholarships or bursaries you received during the NEPS program? The mean dollar amount of scholarships received by NEPS students during their program
is $7210 with a median of $6000. When the dollar amount of scholarships received is
averaged over all students, including those who did not receive a scholarship or bursary,
the mean drops to $5509 and a median of $3350 (per capita scholarship funding to
students in the program).
Table 12 - Dollar amount of scholarships received
Total dollar amount of scholarships received Frequency Overall percent (n=228) Percent of recipients (n=175) No Scholarships 53 23.2% ‐ Less than $3000 26 11.4% 14.9% $3000 to $4999 47 20.6% 26.9% $5000 to $6999 29 12.7% 16.6% $7000 to $9999 34 14.9% 19.4% $10000 and up 39 17.1% 22.3% Total 204 100.0% 100.0% 19
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
20. What was the major source of your scholarship/bursary support? Six in ten (58.1%) of those who received a scholarship or bursary received it from the
government, 15.1% received it from the University, while 8.9% received it from a First
Nation Band or Métis Organization (8.9%)
Table 13: Source of Scholarship Support
Description 2005 n= 95 2006 n = 77 Government 66.3% 64.9% 72.5% 67.5% 58.1% University 13.7% 19.5% 8.4% 11.7% 15.1% Regional Health Authority 10.5% 6.5% 7.6% 8.4% 8.4% First Nation Bands/Métis Organization 2.1% 5.2% 3.8% 2.6% 8.9% Other (please specify) 7.4% 2.6% 7.6% 9.7% 9.5% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0 % Total 2007 n = 131 2008 n = 154 2009 n = 179 20
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
21. Did you obtain any student or educational loans during the program? One third of respondents (65.4%) report obtaining a student or educational loan. This
result represents a continued directional decline since results in 2006 (78.1% received a
loan).
Figure 9 - Obtained student loans during the program
21
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
22. What was the total dollar value of your student or educational loans at completion of the NEPS program? The average value of student loans among current graduates (for those who had them)
is $33,739 with a median of $30,000. Across all students, including those who did not
have any, the average loan value is $21,857 with a median of $18,000.
Table 14 - Total value of student loan
Total value of student loan Frequency Percent of total (n=228) Percent of those with loans (n=148) None 80 35.1% ‐ Less than $10 000 13 5.7% 8.8% $10 000 to $19 999 24 10.5% 16.2% $20 000 to $29 999 31 13.6% 21.0% $30 000 to $39 999 33 14.5% 22.3% $40 000 to $49 999 24 10.5% 16.2% $50 000 and over 23 10.1% 15.5% 22
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
24. What was your program site at graduation from the NEPS program? Saskatoon continues to have the highest proportion of graduates (53.5%) compared to
the two other centers. While Regina showed an increase in 2008 (43.6%), it has dropped
back down to results more in line with results from years previous (36.8% currently).
Table 15: Program Site at Graduation
Site at graduation 2005 n = 134 2006 n = 105 2007 n = 178 2008 n = 204 2009 n = 228 Saskatoon 62.7% 63.8% 55.1% 50.5% 53.5% Regina 37.3% 36.2% 36.0% 43.6% 36.8% Prince Albert 0.0% 0.0% 9.0% 5.9% 9.6% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total Nearly all respondents graduated from the same site in which they entered.
Table 16 - Program site at NEPS graduation by site at entry
Program site at graduation Regina Program Site at Entry Regina Count Saskatoon Percent Count Percent Prince Albert Count Percent 87 93.5% 2 2.0% 0 0.0%
Saskatoon 6 6.5% 97 96.0% 0 0.0%
Prince Albert Total 0 0.0% 2 2.0% 10 100.0%
93 100.0% 101 100.0% 10 100.0%
23
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Your Job Search and Anticipated Employment 25. At this time, do you have a job as a graduate nurse confirmed? Fewer respondents report having a job as a graduate nurse confirmed at the time of the
survey (71.9%) compared to the steady rise seen in 2006 (74.0%), 2007 (85.4%), and 2008
(88.7%).
Figure 10 - Have a graduate job confirmed
24
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
26­30. If you have confirmed employment, to what extent does your first job meet your ideal preferences, where '1' is not at all to '5' being highly ideal? Among those respondents who have confirmed employment, average preference ideal
ratings are generally high. Two thirds (66.5%) of respondents rated the location as highly
ideal and one half gave a rating of 5 out of 5 to responsibilities (49.4%), work environment
(48.8%) and client group (45.7%).
Figure 11 - Average ratings of aspects of first job
25
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
26
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
31. Name the (one) most positive aspect of your first job. One quarter name great staff as the most positive aspect of their first job (28.0%),
followed closely by working in their area of interest (23.4%).
Table 17: Most Positive Aspect of First Job
Description Count Work Environment 40 Percent 25.3% Great Staff 36 22.8% Experience 31 19.6% Area of Interest 26 16.5% Mentorship program and orientation 11 7.0% Full Time Employment 9 5.7% Income Schedule Other Location Challenging 9 8 8 5 4 5.7% 5.1% 5.1% 3.2% 2.5% Not Started 4 2.5% No response 1 0.6% Total 158 100.0% The following text box lists some verbatim comments expressed by graduates in regard to
the most positive aspect of their first job:
27
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
The people who worked there appreciated having me there and were eager to teach
me
Challenging and will allow me many opportunities to continue learning on a daily
basis.
Fulltime employment in the area of nursing that most interests me
Excellent work environment. Everyone is given a mentor and ideal shifts.
Offered a relocation bonus without asking for a contract or my intentions for the next
five years!
32. Within the first 6 months after graduation, do you expect to be: A majority (96.1%) expect to be employed as a nurse within six months of graduation.
Five respondents (2.2%) report they expect to be employed in a field other than nursing,
while two (1.8%) expect to not be employed.
Table 18: Expectation within the first 6 months after graduation
Employed as a nurse Employed in a field other than nursing Not employed 2005: 134 Responses 98.5% 2006: 105 Responses 98.1% 2007: 178 Responses 100.0% 2008: 204 Responses 99.0% 2009: 228 Responses 96.1% 0.0% 1.0% 0.0% 0.5% 2.2% 1.5% 1.0% 0.0% 0.5% 1.8% 33. If you do not expect to be employed as a nurse in the first 6 months after completing the NEPS program, what is the MAIN reason why? When asked why they do not expect to have a nursing job within six months of
graduating, three respondents report they do not expect to find they job they want, one
has family responsibilities, one has health reasons, one is going to school, and one is
travelling.
Do not expect to find a job I want
3
Family responsibilities
1
Health reasons
1
Going to school
1
Traveling
1
Other, (please specify)
2
The two responses entered under “other” include: 28
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
•
•
I have a high paying job that will rid me of loans really fast.
I'm in the field I am interested in
29
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
34. What is/would likely be the geographical location of your first job as a graduate nurse? Most graduates intend to remain (or already have placement) in Saskatchewan for their
first job as a graduate nurse (93.9%). This continues to be consistent with past findings.
Table 19 - Location of first nursing job
Location of first nursing job 2005 n = 134 90.3% 2006 n = 105 89.5% 2007 = 178 96.6% 2008 = 204 93.1% 2009 n = 228 93.9 % Manitoba or Eastern Canada 2.2% 2.9% 0.6% 0.0% 0.4 % Alberta or British Columbia 6.0% 7.6% 2.8% 6.4% 4.4 % USA 1.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.5% 0.4 % Other, (please specify) 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.9 % 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0 % Saskatchewan Total 30
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
35. Please specify whether the location of your first job as a graduate nurse is/would likely be: Respondents self-defined urban and rural. Nearly eight in ten (78.1%) graduate nurses
anticipate having their first job located in an urban centre. This trend continues to rise
directionally over the past five waves of research.
Figure 12 - Location of first job as a graduate nurse
31
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
36. Please rank the top 3 factors that influenced your choice of work location for your first job as a nurse, with 1 being most important and 3 being least important: Nearly six in ten (57.0%) mention family or community commitments within their top three
factors influencing their choice of work location with a notable proportion 43.0%
mentioning this first. Mentorship opportunities (31.1%), familiarity with the hospital where
their practicum was completed (30.3%), and acquiring the desired position (29.8%) are
also popular mentions in respondents’ top three.
Figure 13 - Top 3 factors influencing choice of work location
*Totals bolded
32
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
37. Which strategy has been most useful in your job search? Six in ten (58.8%) report that clinical work has been found to be their most useful strategy in the
job search. Word of mouth was mentioned by 16.2% of respondents, while 7.5% report they find
internet directories to be most useful.
Table 20 - Job search strategy
Job search strategy Clinical work Word of mouth Internet directory Other Employer visits Recruitment Fair Advertisements Total 2007 n = 178 2008 n = 204 2009 n = 228 67.4% 57.8% 58.8% 14.6% 23.0% 16.2% 5.1% 5.1% 3.4% 2.2% 2.2% 100.0% 3.4% 3.9% 6.9% 3.4% 1.5% 100.0% 7.5% 6.6% 5.3% 3.5% 2.2% 100.0% 33
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
38. Did you get a job offer from a unit where you were employed as a Senior Assistant? Among those respondents who said they were employed as a senior assistant, one half
(51.2%) report they received a job offer from the unit they were employed in. This is down
notably from findings in both 2008 (64.6% received an offer) and in 2007 (75.0% received
an offer).
Figure 14 - Received a job offer from unit where employed as a senior assistant
34
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
39. Did you get a job offer from a unit where you had your 4th year senior practicum experiences? Nearly Two thirds of respondents (64.5%) report they received a job offer from the unit
they completed their 4th year practicum, continuing a slightly decreasing trend from 2008
(68.6%) and from 2007 (73.6%).
Figure 15 - Received job offer from where completed 4th year practicum
35
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
40. How does your experience in finding your first job compare with your expectations? Continuing a downward trend, three in ten (29.8%) feel finding their first job was easier
than expected compared to those respondents in 2008 (40.2%) and 2007 (46.1%).
Notably, one quarter (26.3%) report they found it more difficult than expected, up from
15.2% in 2008 and 11.8% in 2007.
Figure 16 - Difficulty finding first job
36
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
41. What will be the work hours of your first job as a graduate nurse? Three quarters (74.1%) expect to work regular, full-time hours in their first job as a
graduate nurse, consistent with findings in 2008 (73.0%), yet higher than findings in years
previous.
Figure 17 - Work hours of first job
Definitions
"Regular" reflects permanent employment, even though it may be time limited;
"Casual" reflects the fact that the employment does not guarantee a fixed number
of hours of work per pay period. (It also would include occasional, on call, on
demand, or seasonal work.)
37
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
42. Is being employed on this basis your preference? Overall, eight in ten (81.6%) indicate the basis upon which they expect to be employed is
their preference, consistent with findings in previous years, but notably higher than in
2006 (63.1%) and 2005 (41.0%)
Figure 18 - Employment preference
Those respondents who expect to be or are employed to work regular full- or part-time
hours are also much more likely to be happy with their hours than those who are
employed on a casual basis.
Table 21 - Expected work hours by preference for hours
2009 Regular full‐time Being employed on this basis is preferred 97.6% Casual full‐time Regular part‐time Casual part‐time 25.8% 50.0% 37.5% 38
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
43. When you start your first nursing job, what do you expect will be the length of your orientation (including "buddy" shifts)? Nearly six in ten (57.5%) of current graduates expect their orientation will be between 16
and 30 days in length at their first nursing job.
Table 22: Length of Orientation
2007 n = 178 2008 n = 204 2009 n = 228 0.6% 0.0% 0.4% One day or less 2 ‐ 5 days 0.6% 20.8% 0.0% 14.7% 0.4% 8.8% 6 ‐ 15 days 16 ‐ 30 days Total 50.0% 28.1% 100.0% 36.8% 48.5% 100.0% 32.9% 57.5% 100.0% Length of Orientation None 39
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
44. How many sites will you/do you expect to work at for your first job as a graduate nurse? Sites include:
- Different work sites but same employer
- Different units but same employer
- Different employers with same or different units
- For public health nurses, many schools would be one unit
Consistent with findings in the past two years, a majority of respondents (86.0%) expect to
or are arranged to work at one site .
Figure 19 - Number of sites
40
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
45. What type of organization will you be working at? Three quarters (74.3%) report they will be working at a general hospital of 100 beds or
over for at least one of their sites. A general hospital with less than 100 beds will be
worked at by 15.3% of respondents.
Table 23 - Site of nursing jobs
Count Percent General hospital, 100 beds and over
136 74.3% General hospital, less than 100 beds
28 15.3% Community Health/Health Centre
6 3.3% Home Care Agency
3 1.6% Mental Health Centre/Hospital
2 1.1% Association/Government
2 1.1% Nursing Stations (Outpost or clinics)
1 0.5% Rehabilitation/Convalescent Centre
1 0.5% Business/Industry/Occupational Health
1 0.5% Educational Institution
1 0.5% Physician's Office/Family Practice Unit
0 0.0% Self-employed
0 0.0% Other
2 1.1% 41
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
46. What is your position? Nineteen in twenty are a staff nurse at a minimum of one of their work sites (96.2%).
Table 24 - Position at site
Staff Nurse/Community Health
Nurse
Instructor/Professor/Educator
Other
Count Percent 176 96.2% 1 0.5% 6 3.3% 47. What is your main area of responsibility? Overall, nineteen out of twenty (96.7%) report their main area of responsibility is direct
care. Three respondents indicated their main area of responsibility is education at their
primary site, while two report focusing on education and one on research at their
secondary site.
Table 25 - Area of responsibility
2005: 79 Responses 2006: 77 Responses 2007: 151 Responses 2008: 179 Responses 2009: 183 Responses Direct Care 98.7% 98.7% 99.3% 97.8% 96.7% Research 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.6% 2.7% Education 1.3% 1.3% 0.7% 0.6% 0.5% Administration 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.1% 0.0% 42
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
47a. In what area will you provide nursing care: Six in ten respondents (61.2%) who are assigned to direct care focus on medical/surgical
care. Paediatrics(17.6%) and emergency care (17.6%) are the next two most common
areas of care.
Table 26 - Area providing care
Count Percent Medical/Surgical 101 61.2% Paediatrics 29 17.6% Emergency care 29 17.6% Maternal/Newborn 26 15.8% Oncology 15 9.1% Critical Care 14 8.5% Geriatric/Long term care 12 7.3% Psychiatric/Mental Health 11 6.7% Community Health 8 4.8% Home care 4 2.4% Ambulatory Care 4 2.4% Several clinical areas 3 1.8% Rehabilitation 3 1.8% Operating Room/RR 2 1.2% Occupational Health 1 0.6% Administration
Service 1 0.6% Education
Teaching ‐ Clients 3 1.8% Teaching ‐ Students Teaching ‐ Employees Nursing Research only Other Total 1 1 1 11 165 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 6.7% 100.0% Direct Card Research
43
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
48. On average, how many hours per week will you work? Over all sites, respondents will work an average of 36 hours per week.
Table 27 - Number of hours worked per week at site
First Site Second Site Third Site Total Hours Mean 38 11 8 36 Median 40 10 8 40 Valid N 165 16 1 182 Overall, slightly less than one half of respondents work between 40 and 49 hours per
week (46.9%).
Table 28 - Number of hours worked per week overall
Count 13 Percent 7.3% 20 to 29
Hours
7 3.9% 30 to 39
Hours
73 40.8% 40 to 49
Hours
84 46.9% 2 1.1% 179 100.0% 36 40 Less than
20 Hours
50 Hours or
More
Total
Mean
Median
44
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
48a. Will you work in a forensic setting?
One in twenty (4.9%) will work in a forensic setting.
Figure 20: Will work in forensic setting
javascript:js
GraphPopup(388)javascript:jsGraphPopup(388)
49. What do you expect will be your total annual earnings per year before taxes and
deductions (Canadian Dollars)?
The expectation of annual income has continue to display a notable increase from
previous years results, with 2009 results being even more pronounced. Six in ten (60.4%)
expect their annual income to be $50,000 or more compared to 36.3% in 2008 and 2007.
Table 29 - Expected average annual income
Less than $30 000 $30 000 to $39 000 $40 000 to $49 000 $50 000 to $59 000 $60 000 and up Don't know 2005 11.3% 20.3% 27.9% 12.1% 3.0% 25.6% 2006 9.6% 22.9% 26.7% 16.2% 7.8% 21.0% 2007 9.5% 7.9% 27.4% 26.0% 10.3% 26.0% 2008 2.5% 7.9% 27.4% 26.0% 10.3% 26.0% 2009 1.2% 5.2% 10.9% 32.0% 28.4% 21.9% 45
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
General Questions 50. Are you registering with any of the following associations (check all that apply)? A notable majority (92.5%) report they plan to register with the SRNA only, in line with
results from previous years.
Table 30 - Nursing associations
2007 n = 177 2008 n = 204
2005 n = 133
2006 n = 105
SRNA only 92.5% 91.4% 94.4% 91.7% 92.5 % SRNA & RPNAS 0.8% 1.0% 1.6% 2.0% 1.3 % Neither 5.3% 4.8% 3.4% 4.9% 4.4 % Other nursing licensure 6.0% 7.6% 3.9% 4.4% 6.1 % Don’t know 0.0% 0.0% 0.6% 0.0% 0.0 % Total 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 100.0% 46
2009 n = 228
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
51. What is your gender? One in twenty (5.7%) graduates are male, while the remaining 97.3% are female.
Figure 21 - Gender
Base: all respondents (2005; n=134, 2006; n=105, 2007; n=178, 2008; n=204, 2009; n = 227)
47
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
52. Where did you grow up? One in three graduates grew up in rural Saskatchewan (30.7%), 20.2% in Saskatoon, 16.7%
from a town in Saskatchewan and 14.0% in Regina.
Table 31 – Location
48
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
53. Are you of Aboriginal ancestry? Slightly more than one in ten (13.7%) NEPS graduates are of Aboriginal ancestry (31 total).
This finding is consistent with results in 2008 and 2007. In total, three respondents (3.6%)
who graduated from Regina consider themselves to be Aboriginal, sixteen from
Saskatoon (13.3%) do so and twelve (54.5%) from Prince Albert.
Figure 22 - Aboriginal ancestry
2005: 134 2006: 105 Responses Responses
2007: 178 Responses
2008: 204 2009: 226 Responses Responses Aboriginal Ancestry 5.2% 8.6% 14.7% 13.8%
13.7 % Non‐
aboriginal 94.8% 91.4% 85.3% 86.2%
86.3 % 49
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
54. You indicated you are of Aboriginal ancestry; please indicate if you are: Among the 31 respondents who indicated that they are of aboriginal ancestry, eighteen
are Métis, eleven have treaty status, one is non-status, and one is Inuit.
Métis Non‐status Indian Status/Treaty Indian Inuit Total Count 18 1 11 1 31 Percent 58.1% 3.2% 35.5% 3.2% 100.0% 55. What is your current marital status? At the time of the survey, slightly more than one half of graduates (54.4%) were single,
while four in ten (43.4%) were married or living common law.
Figure 23 - Current marital status
2005: 134 Responses Single 59.1% Married/Common Law 38.6% Separated/Divorced/Widowed 2.3% 2006: 105 Responses 56.2% 41.0% 2.9% 2007: 178 Responses 46.6% 49.4% 3.9% 2008: 204 Responses 51.2% 45.3% 3.5% 2009: 228 Responses 54.4% 43.4% 2.2% 50
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
56. How satisfied are you with your educational experience in the NEPS program? Three quarters (75.9%) of graduates are either satisfied or very satisfied with their
educational experience in the NEPS program, slightly less then in 2008 (83.3%) but
consistent with results in years previous.
Figure 24 - Satisfaction with NEPS
2005: 134 2006: 105 2007: 178 2008: 204 2009: 228 Responses Responses Responses Responses Responses Very Satisfied 13.4% 15.2% 9.0% 8.8% 11.4 % Satisfied 59.7% 60.0% 66.3% 74.5% 64.5 % Total satisfied or very satisfied 73.1% 75.2% 75.3% 83.3% 75.9% Dissatisfied 11.2% 13.3% 2.2% 11.3% 17.5 % Very Dissatisfied 6.7% 2.9% 3.9% 2.0% 3.1 % Total dissatisfied or very dissatisfied 17.9% 16.2% 6.1% 13.3% 20.6% Unsure 9.0% 8.6% 18.5% 3.4% 3.5 % 51
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
57. How well do you believe your educational program has prepared you for nursing practice? Two thirds (65.8%) of graduates well their educational program prepared them well or
very well for nursing, down from three quarters (74.5%) who felt this way in 2008.
Table 32 - How well NEPS prepared for nursing practice
2005: 134 Responses 2006: 105 Responses 2007: 178 Responses 2008: 204 Responses 2009: 228 Responses Very well 11.9%
7.6%
6.7%
5.4% 6.6%
Well 57.5%
67.6%
60.1%
69.1% 59.2%
69.4%
75.2%
66.8%
74.5% 65.8%
19.4%
16.2%
24.2%
2.0% 22.8%
3.0%
1.0%
3.9%
4.4% 3.1%
22.4%
17.2%
28.1%
6.4% 25.9%
8.2%
7.6%
5.1%
19.1% 8.3%
Well or Very well Not well Poorly Not well or poorly Unsure 58. Do you plan to pursue graduate studies (Masters/PhD) at some time in the future? Slightly less than two thirds of respondents (63.2%) plan to pursue graduate studies at
some time in the future; a proportion that has been gradually rising since 2005 but seems
to have leveled off in 2009.
Figure 25 - Plan to pursue graduate studies
52
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
53
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
59. Do you have any additional comments regarding the education you received in the NEPS program? A total of 174 respondents provided additional comments regarding their education in
the NEPS program. Four in ten (39.7%) respondents relate to requiring more clinical or
practical time, while one quarter (25.3%) made reference to changes to the curriculum.
Table 33 - General comments about the NEPS program
Require More Clinical/Practical Time/Different Focus Changes to Curriculum/Classes/Practicum Instructors/Faculty/Preceptor Comments Overall Satisfaction With Program Other Unprepared for Work Force/Mentorship No Comment Total Count Percent 69 39.7 % 44 25.3 % 24 13.8 % 7 4.0 % 21 12.1 % 8 4.6 % 24 13.8 % 174 100.0 % 54
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
More practicum experiences would have been beneficial, less mental health, more variety of community experiences. Having instructors that knew what they were teaching and enjoyed it would have also been appreciated. Being located in one main place, e.g., U of S instead of 2 years of SIAST and 2 years of U of S would have been beneficial. Classes such as the two communities classes could be joined, since lots of information was repeated. "Too many ""touchy feely"" classes and not enough clinical time. NEPS does not prepare us as nurses for what it is like here in the real world. The times when I finally learned what it was like to actually nurse was in the last months of my final practicum." Would like more clinical opportunities; community rotations are not valuable for me at all. Although I feel we are prepared to start work to a certain extent, I believe that there would be more benefit in further clinical/hands‐on learning, as this is where we learn to practice the classroom teachings. I felt that there was a lack of that practice. Overall, a well‐run program. Second year: overwhelming; not enough time to spent on concrete theory classes while trying to learn so much other unnecessary info. School days too long and structured while at SIAST. Third year: three‐four hour long classes are too long and unacceptable. Fourth year: senior practicum well managed and very beneficial. Longer periods of clinical would be highly beneficial in the previous three years of the program. "As an LPN, I was extremely disappointed in the amount of repetition in the classes I took in the practical nursing program and in the NEPS program! The program needs to rethink options for LPN's entering the program as there is no need for them to be taking some of the required courses! More credit should be given ‐ for example ‐ the second year clinical experience in May and June! As an LPN, I had more responsibilities at work than I was allowed to do as a second year nursing.” 55
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Appendix A Q31. Name the (one) most positive aspect of your first job?
Location (6 Responses) ¾ Close to home. ¾ I am able to work in my home community. ¾ Location. ¾ The hospital that I am working at and the fact that I got a permanent position. ¾ Working in my hometown with a staff that is very friendly and supportive. Great Staff (38 Responses) ¾ Being allowed by the manager to negotiate for my needs, even though I'm new on the unit. ¾ Cohesive and welcoming team. ¾ Comfortable, positive staff environment built during senior practicum. ¾ Fellow employees/manager. ¾ Friendly staff. ¾ Good manager. ¾ Great nursing staff for support. It is where I completed my final practicum. Also, high acuity and patient turnover. ¾ Great staff to work with and many different conditions to further develop my skills. ¾ Great staff. ¾ Great staff. ¾ I enjoy the staff and know I will not ever feel 'alone', they work as a team. ¾ I have heard that the staff on the unit is highly receptive to new employees and are for the most part helpful. ¾ I like the supportive staff. ¾ I'm familiar with the unit, as I did my final rotation here; and I'm with several of my classmates, so I know there will be a good support network. ¾ Knowledgeable and accepting staff. ¾ My manager and co‐workers are awesome! ¾ Positive and accepting work environment and staff members. ¾ Staff members are helpful. ¾ Staff morale. ¾ Staff on unit. ¾ Staff relationships. ¾ Staff. ¾ Supportive manager. ¾ Supportive staff. 56
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
Supportive staff. Team atmosphere. The moral of the current staff is high. The other staff members. The people that I work with. The staff and the challenges. The staff are very welcoming and work as a team. The staff is very supportive of newcomers. The staff members were supportive. The staff, positive work environment. The staff. Work environment. I work with a very supportive health care team. Working in my hometown with a staff that is very friendly and supportive. Working within a team. Experience (31 Responses) ¾ A variety of medical conditions at all age groups. ¾ A ward where I can learn lots and gain valuable experience working with various medical issues. ¾ Additional training for the peri‐operative course. ¾ Being employed. ¾ Broad variety of experiences. ¾ Challenging and will allow me many opportunities to continue learning on a daily basis. ¾ Continuing to learn and gain new skills. ¾ Experience. ¾ Experience. ¾ Getting experience ¾ Getting the opportunity to apply what I learned, dressing changes, and assisting doctors. ¾ Good learning experience for future jobs. ¾ Good learning experience. ¾ Good learning experience. ¾ Great experience. ¾ Great staff to work with and many different conditions to further develop my skills. ¾ I completed my acute senior practicum on the unit, so I feel comfortable and welcome. I know it is a great learning environment and will be a good place to start my career. ¾ I get a well rounded idea of how to work with everything and anything: L and D, ER, Surgery, LTC, palliative, psychiatric, cardiac, medicine. ¾ I was on this unit as a student, and I really enjoyed it. I feel that this will be a good unit to continue developing my skills for at least a year or two, and then I will see where that takes me. They also do self‐scheduling which I really wanted. 57
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
¾ I will receive lots of training and buddy shifts so that I become comfortable and confident in the environment. ¾ I worked here for one of my final practicums and was able to feel more comfortable just starting here. ¾ In the Emergency Department. I feel this is an area where I will utilize and continue to foster all nursing skills and work with all age groups. ¾ Learning opportunities. ¾ Opportunity to do various nursing skills. ¾ The amount of knowledge and experience I will gain. ¾ The continuing education ability it provides. ¾ The experience of providing care to a wide variety of patient demographics and health problems. ¾ The variety of experience I will be exposed to. ¾ The wide range of experience in medications, organization and skills that I am receiving. ¾ Very many learning opportunities. General Surgery so there are a variety of different diagnoses, surgeries, etc. ¾ Will be great experience as a new graduate to work on a medical unit and gain organizational skills and become more familiar with pathophysiology of illnesses, as well as medications. Area of interest (26 Responses) ¾ Acute care unit. ¾ Being able to take the critical care course. ¾ Being able to work in a field of interest right away, even though it may not be what people told me to do. ¾ Fulltime employment in the area of nursing that most interests me. ¾ Getting into the area that I wanted. ¾ Getting to go to work with the client population that I wanted to. ¾ I am working with children. ¾ I like the area of work that I was in. ¾ I was on this unit as a student, and I really enjoyed it. I feel that this will be a good unit to continue developing my skills for at least a year or two, and then I will see where that takes me. They also do self‐scheduling which I really wanted. ¾ I will be working on Paediatrics where I had worked as a senior assist and see this as an asset. I love children and to have the job security of a permanent job. ¾ In the Emergency Department. I feel this is an area where I will utilize and continue to foster all nursing skills and work with all age groups. ¾ It is in an area that I've had a very strong interest in. ¾ It is in the area I really wanted to be ‐ that would be my first choice. ¾ It is in the specialty of paediatrics. ¾ It's my dream job. ¾ It's on paediatrics, and I love working with kids. 58
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
It's the area that I wanted to go into. Patient education. Permanent fulltime employment on the unit that I really wanted. Same type as the unit that I worked on as a Senior Assist., just in a different city. The clinical area that I have interest in. Was able to work were I wanted to. Working in the area I intended to throughout nursing school. Working with my desired population (kids). Working with the ideal population. Working with the population that I love to work with ‐ women and children. Full time employment (9 Responses) ¾ Employment, finally. ¾ Fulltime employment in the area of nursing that most interests me. ¾ I will be working on Paediatrics where I had worked as a senior assist and see this as an asset. I love children and to have the job security of a permanent job. ¾ It is a permanent fulltime position with 12‐hour shifts. ¾ It is a permanent fulltime position. ¾ It's permanent fulltime. ¾ Permanent fulltime employment on the unit that I really wanted. ¾ Permanent fulltime position. ¾ The hospital that I am working at and the fact that I got a permanent position. Income (9 Responses) ¾ Getting paid. ¾ Getting paid. ¾ Getting paid. ¾ I like the amount of money I get. ¾ I will be mentored for four months and a fellow student is hired on the same ward, so I will know more people. Also, finally getting paid!! ¾ Offered a relocation bonus without asking for a contract or my intentions for the next five years! ¾ Pay check. Knowing that I'm done. ¾ The money. ¾ The pay cheque. Work environment (40 Responses) ¾ Being allowed by the manager to negotiate for my needs, even though I'm new on the unit. ¾ Changing environment, different clients, and different workload each day. ¾ Comfortable, positive staff environment built during senior practicum. ¾ Excellent work environment. Everyone is given a mentor and ideal shifts. ¾ Exciting. 59
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
¾ Feel comfortable there, because it is where I senior assisted. ¾ Great nursing staff for support. It is where I completed my final practicum. Also, high acuity and patient turnover. ¾ Great staff to work with and many different conditions to further develop my skills. ¾ I completed my acute senior practicum on the unit, so I feel comfortable and welcome. I know it is a great learning environment and will be a good place to start my career. ¾ I did my final practicum on this ward and so feel comfortable coming on as a graduate nurse. As well, I will be involved in the mentorship program, which has alleviated a lot of stress I might have felt had I started out on my own. ¾ I enjoy the staff and know I will not ever feel 'alone', they work as a team. ¾ I have worked there as a Senior Assist, so I know the routines and most of the people already. ¾ I like that it was autonomy. ¾ I like the job. ¾ I will be mentored for four months and a fellow student is hired on the same ward, so I will know more people. Also, finally getting paid!! ¾ I worked here for one of my final practicums and was able to feel more comfortable just starting here. ¾ I'm familiar with the unit, as I did my final rotation here; and I'm with several of my classmates, so I know there will be a good support network. ¾ In the Emergency Department. I feel this is an area where I will utilize and continue to foster all nursing skills and work with all age groups. ¾ Interacting with first year students. ¾ It was an outpatient unit. Nobody stays at the hospital, it's a come and go, thus you don't have to deal with them all day. ¾ Manager support. ¾ Patients on the unit that I'm working with ‐ to develop new relationships with patients. ¾ Positive and accepting work environment and staff members. ¾ Positive work environment. ¾ Supportive work environment. ¾ Supportive work environment. ¾ Team atmosphere. ¾ The clients. ¾ The environment. ¾ The nurses have pagers on the unit I will be working on. So when a patient presses the call bell, the call is answered by a communications centre. Then the communications center sends a page to the nurse stating the room number and exactly what the patient wants, e.g., 19‐2: warm blanket. I believe this will save time and help me prioritize. ¾ The people who worked there appreciated having me there and were eager to teach me. 60
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
The positive and supportive environment. The staff are very welcoming and work as a team. The staff, positive work environment. Work environment. Work environment. Work environment. I work with a very supportive health care team. Work morale is high. Working within a team. You are still able to ask lots of questions and no one will look down on you for not knowing something. Challenging (4 Responses) ¾ Challenging and will allow me many opportunities to continue learning on a daily basis. ¾ High energy adrenaline rush. ¾ That it was challenging and exciting. ¾ The staff and the challenges. Not started (4 Responses) ¾ Have not started yet. ¾ I don't know because I haven't started working yet. The only reason I am doing this quiz right now is because I received a phone call that I did not wish to receive reminding me to do the quiz. ¾ I don't start until next week. ¾ Will start on January 19, 2009. Schedule (8 Responses) ¾ Eight hour shifts. ¾ Excellent work environment. Everyone is given a mentor and ideal shifts. ¾ I don't have to work weekends. ¾ I had good shifts. ¾ I was on this unit as a student, and I really enjoyed it. I feel that this will be a good unit to continue developing my skills for at least a year or two, and then I will see where that takes me. They also do self‐scheduling which I really wanted. ¾ It is a permanent fulltime position with 12‐hour shifts. ¾ Monday‐Friday, 8:00am‐4:30pm schedule. ¾ Work hours. Mentorship program and orientation (11 Responses) ¾ Adequate orientation. ¾ Excellent work environment. Everyone is given a mentor and ideal shifts. ¾ Good orientation to the unit. ¾ Having a mentor to support me through the transition. 61
Exit Survey of the 2008-09 Graduates of the NEPS Program
¾ I did my final practicum on this ward and so feel comfortable coming on as a graduate nurse. As well, I will be involved in the mentorship program, which has alleviated a lot of stress I might have felt had I started out on my own. ¾ I will be mentored for four months and a fellow student is hired on the same ward, so I will know more people. Also, finally getting paid!! ¾ I will receive lots of training and buddy shifts so that I become comfortable and confident in the environment. ¾ Proper orientation to the unit and a mentorship program. ¾ Senior staff is patient enough to teach the new comers. ¾ The mentorship program is the one most positive aspect of my first job. ¾ The people who worked there appreciated having me there and were eager to teach me. Other (8 Responses) ¾ Helping a mother bring a baby into the world. ¾ Helping people. ¾ Independence. ¾ RN not an LCN. ¾ Supernumerary for four months. ¾ Supernumerary position. ¾ The independence. ¾ The opportunity to be involved in the new grad. nurse job program. 62