Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS) Employment Survey: Graduates of the NEPS Program in the 2006­2007 Academic Year – 2 Year Follow­up 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 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)
Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS) Employment Survey: Graduates of the NEPS Program in the 2006­2007 Academic Year – 2 Year Follow­up 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 2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Executive Summary Introduction In this report, we summarize the results of the 2009 2-Year Graduate Follow-Up Study for The
Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS). These respondents were a part of the
2006-2007 graduating class. The survey has two major foci. Firstly, the survey includes an indepth section on graduates’ employment and is broken into two main sections: employment in
the first year after graduation, and current employment. Responses to this section of the survey
provide feedback on the graduates’ experience in the workforce. This report includes graphical
comparisons to the 2-year follow-up surveys from the past four years. Surveying the 2007
graduating class and comparing their responses to 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 graduates
provides valuable information on the recent employment patterns and decisions after program
completion.
Secondly, the survey obtains the reactions and advice of graduates to the program from which
they graduated. Graduates have the opportunity to reflect on the outcomes of their University
education and are in a position to provide valuable feedback to the nursing program, as well as
to potential employers and policy makers.
Of the 226 graduates of the NEPS program in 2006-07, 171 completed the survey for a response
rate of 75.7%. This gives a margin of error of ±3.7 percentage points at 95% confidence, finite
population factor applied.
Experiences in the First Year after Graduation Overall, nineteen in twenty (95.8%) indicated that their first job as a graduate nurse was inprovince. Three quarters (75.0%) worked in an urban location (75.0%), 22.0% in a rural location
and 3.0% in both. With regards to the factors that influenced their choice of work location,
family or community commitments was chosen in their top three by 63.7% of respondents. Most
(62.5%) were invited to a job before they started looking, and a further 34.5% indicated that they
found employment within one month of graduation. A total of 38.1% feel that their experience
finding their first job following graduation was less difficult than expected (38.1%), 46.4% feel that
it was the same as they expected and 15.5% feel that it was more difficult. Three quarters
(72.2%) received a job offer from where they were employed as a senior assistant, and 61.4% got
a job offer from where they did their 4th year senior practicum.
Most commonly, (74.4%) respondents worked regular full time hours in their first job as a graduate
nurse and eight in ten (80.9%) indicated that they were employed as per their preference for
hours. Location (3.9 out of 5) was, on average, given the highest rating in terms of meeting
respondents’ ideal preferences. Client group (3.6) and responsibilities (3.6) were next-highest
rated. About four in ten (42.3%) indicated that the length of their orientation was between 6
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2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
and 15 days, and 29.2% indicated that their orientation was between 16 and 30 days. Overall,
42.9% feel that their orientation was too short and 54.8% feel that it was about right. In total, one
quarter (23.8%) of respondents feel that their orientation very well or quite well prepared them
for their first position, a notable decrease from a high of 50.0% in 2005.
More than eight in ten (86.9%) worked at a single site as a graduate nurse, 10.1% worked at 2
sites and 3.0% worked at 3 or more sites. The most common type of organization among
respondents was a general hospital with 100 beds or more (75.6%) and nearly all (98.2%) were
employed as a staff nurse. Direct care (99.4%) is by far the most common main area of
responsibility among respondents. Few (4.8%) worked in a forensic setting.
Current Situation Most (83.6%) respondents are nurses, and a further 15.8% are on leave from nursing positions, a
total of 99.4% remaining in nursing. One third (36.5%) have changed their primary job, 44.7% are
working in the same position and 18.8% are working for the same primary employer but in a
different position. Personal reasons (40.3%) are most commonly cited as why respondents left
their former employer. Currently, more than eight in ten (83.0%) work in Saskatchewan. Of those
who work out of province, 37.5% expect to return to the province at some time in the future.
Most (72.9%) respondents currently work in an urban setting, 24.1% in a rural setting and 2.9% in
both. Three quarters (76.5%) work regular full time hours and nine in ten (91.4%) are working their
preferred hours. Eight in ten (80.0%) work at a single site, 13.5% in 2 sites and 6.5% in 3 or more
sites. In at least one of their sites, two thirds (68.2%) work in a general hospital with 100 beds and
over, 94.1% work as a staff nurse or community health nurse and 97.6% indicated that direct care
is their main area of responsibility. The average number of hours that respondents work at all
their sites combined is just under 40 (39.4). A total of 5.4% currently work in a forensic setting.
A large majority (84.7%) are either satisfied or very satisfied with their current primary job. By
contrast, 7.1% are either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Three quarters (74.8%) are satisfied or
very satisfied with their educational experience in the NEPS program.
Experience Before Starting the NEPS Program Overall, one in five (19.9%) had previous education in the health care field prior to starting the
NEPS program. In the year before starting the program, most (54.3%) respondents were going to
school, 39.8% were working and 5.9% consider household responsibilities to be their main activity.
Of those respondents who were working before starting the NEPS program, 35.1% (n=24) were
working in the health care field. Most commonly, respondents entered the program when they
were 20 or younger (41.5%). Six in ten (58.6%) entered their program in Saskatoon, 31.7% did so in
Regina and the remaining 9.7% entered in Prince Albert.
Nearly one half (44.1%) worked as a Senior Assistant during their NEPS program and two thirds
(62.4%) were employed during the program. Three quarters (77.6%) of those who had a job
worked less than 21 hours per week.
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2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Most (65.1%) respondents received scholarships or bursaries during the program and the
average scholarship value was $6,184. In terms of student loans, 71.0% of respondents obtained
a loan during the program.
Six in ten (59.7%) graduated from Saskatoon, 31.2% graduated from Regina and 9.1% graduated
from Prince Albert.
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2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Table of Contents NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAM OF SASKATCHEWAN (NEPS) EXIT SURVEY: GRADUATES OF THE NEPS PROGRAM IN THE 2006‐2007 ACADEMIC YEAR – 2 YEAR FOLLOW‐UP.................................................................................... 1 Prepared for...........................................................................................................................................................1 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...................................................................................................................................................................1 FINAL REPORT ................................................................................................................................................................1 Class of 2006‐07.....................................................................................................................................................1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................................................................ 2 NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAM OF SASKATCHEWAN (NEPS) EXIT SURVEY: GRADUATES OF THE NEPS PROGRAM IN THE 2006‐2007 ACADEMIC YEAR – 2 YEAR FOLLOW‐UP.................................................................................... 1 Prepared for...........................................................................................................................................................1 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...................................................................................................................................................................1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .....................................................................................................................................................1 Class of 2006‐07.....................................................................................................................................................1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................... IV Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... iv Experiences in the First Year after Graduation ..................................................................................................... iv Current Situation....................................................................................................................................................v Experience Before Starting the NEPS Program ......................................................................................................v TABLE OF CONTENTS........................................................................................................................................ VII INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................... XI GOALS AND OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................................................. XI SCOPE OF WORK ........................................................................................................................................................... XI SURVEY DESIGN ............................................................................................................................................................ XI SURVEY DISTRIBUTION ................................................................................................................................................... XII RESPONSE RATES AND CONFIDENCE INTERVALS .................................................................................................................. XII STUDY RESULTS.................................................................................................................................................. 1 EXPERIENCES IN THE FIRST YEAR AFTER GRADUATION ............................................................................................................1 21. At any time during the first year after graduation, were you? .......................................................................1 22. What was the geographical location of your first job as a graduate nurse?..................................................1 23. Please specify whether the location of your first job as a graduate nurse was: .............................................2 vii
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
24. 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, 2" being the second most important and "3" being the third most important:..........3 25. How did your experience in finding your first job following graduation compare with your expectations? ...5 26. How long did it take you to obtain your first job after you started actively seeking employment following graduation? ...........................................................................................................................................................5 27. Did you get a job offer from a unit where you were employed as a Senior Assistant?...................................6 28. Did you get a job offer from a unit where you did your 4th year senior practicum? .......................................6 29. What were the work hours of your first job as a graduate nurse? .................................................................7 30. Was being employed on this basis your preference?......................................................................................7 31. To what extent did your first job meet your ideal preferences, where '1' is not at all to '5' being highly ideal? .....................................................................................................................................................................8 33. How did you feel about the length of your orientation for your first position? ..............................................9 34. How well did your orientation program prepare you for your first position? .................................................9 35. What was lacking from your orientation? ....................................................................................................10 36. How many sites did you work at for your first job as a graduate nurse? .....................................................10 37. What type of organization was/were the site(s) at which you worked? (Note: The primary site is the site where you had the most hours per week) ...........................................................................................................11 38. What was your position? ..............................................................................................................................12 39. What was your main area of responsibility? .................................................................................................12 40. In what area did you provide: .......................................................................................................................12 41. On average, how many hours per week did you work? .................................................................................13 41a. Did you work in a forensic setting?..............................................................................................................13 43. You indicated that at some time during the first year you were either unemployed or employed in something other than nursing. Please indicate why............................................................................................13 CURRENT SITUATION .....................................................................................................................................................14 44. What is your current employment status? ....................................................................................................14 48. Has your primary employment changed since your first job?........................................................................14 46. Please indicate the MAIN reason you left your former primary employer?...................................................15 50. Where is the geographical location of your current job?...............................................................................15 51. Do you expect to return to Saskatchewan? ...................................................................................................16 52. Please specify whether the location of your current job is: ...........................................................................16 53. What are your current work hours?...............................................................................................................17 54. Was being employed on this basis your preference?.....................................................................................17 55. How many sites do you currently work at?....................................................................................................18 56. What type of organization is the site(s) at which you work?.........................................................................19 What is your position? .........................................................................................................................................19 58. What is your main area of responsibility? .....................................................................................................20 59. In what area did you provide care: ................................................................................................................20 60. On average, how many hours per week do you work?..................................................................................21 60a. Do you work in a forensic setting?...............................................................................................................21 61. Please rank the top 3 factors that influenced your current choice of work location as a nurse? ..................22 62. How satisfied are you with your current primary job?...................................................................................23 63. How satisfied are you with your current gross annual salary for your primary job? ....................................23 64. What is the total annual earnings before taxes and deductions? .................................................................25 65. Are you registered with any of the following associations? ..........................................................................25 viii
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
GENERAL QUESTIONS ....................................................................................................................................................26 68. What is your gender?.....................................................................................................................................26 69. Where did you grow up?................................................................................................................................26 70. Do you hold aboriginal status? ......................................................................................................................26 72. What is your current marital status?.............................................................................................................28 73. Do you currently have any dependent children/adults? ................................................................................29 74. How satisfied were you with your educational experience in the NEPS program?........................................29 75. How well did your educational program prepare you for nursing practice? .................................................31 76. Have you completed or are you currently enrolled in a graduate program?.................................................31 77. How satisfied are you with nursing as a career? ...........................................................................................32 78. Do you have any general comments regarding the education you received in the NEPS program? .............32 EXPERIENCE BEFORE STARTING THE NEPS PROGRAM ..........................................................................................................33 2. Did you have any previous education in the health care field prior to starting the NEPS program?..............33 3. Please identify your previous education in the health care field (check as many as apply): ...........................33 4. What was your highest educational achievement prior to starting the program?.........................................34 6. What was your major activity in the year before starting NEPS?...................................................................34 7. Was this work in the health care field?...........................................................................................................35 EXPERIENCES DURING THE NEPS PROGRAM ......................................................................................................................36 8. What year did you start your NEPS program:.................................................................................................36 9. What was your age when you entered the NEPS program? ...........................................................................36 10. What was the program site at entry to the NEPS program? ........................................................................37 11. Please indicate if you experienced any of the following significant life changes during the NEPS program? (check all that apply) ...........................................................................................................................................39 12. Did you work as a ‘senior assistant’ during your NEPS program? ................................................................39 13. Did you have a job while in the NEPS program? ...........................................................................................40 14. On average, how many hours a week did you work at your job? .................................................................40 15. Did you receive any scholarships or bursaries during the program? ............................................................41 16. What was the total dollar value of scholarships or bursaries you received during the NEPS program? ......41 17. Did you obtain any student or educational loans during the program? .......................................................42 18. What was the total dollar value of your student or educational loans at completion of the NEPS program?
.............................................................................................................................................................................42 19. What date did you complete your NEPS program?.......................................................................................43 20. What was your program site at graduation from the NEPS program?.........................................................43 APPENDIX A ......................................................................................................................................................44 Please identify your previous education in the health care field (check as many as apply): ...............................44 Please specify the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificates (including field of study) you held prior to starting the program: ..............................................................................................................................................................44 Please indicate if you experienced any of the following significant life changes during the NEPS program? (check all that apply) ...........................................................................................................................................45 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, 2" being the second most important and "3" being the third most important:..............46 What was lacking from your orientation? ...........................................................................................................46 What type of organization was/were the site(s) at which you worked? (Note: The primary site is the site where you had the most hours per week) ......................................................................................................................47 ix
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
What was your position? .....................................................................................................................................47 In what area did you provide: Note: Some responses may have been recoded into applicable categories ........47 Please indicate your field of work during this time:.............................................................................................47 You indicated that at some time during the first year you were either unemployed or employed in something other than nursing. Please indicate why..............................................................................................................48 Please indicate your current field of work: ..........................................................................................................48 What is the MAIN reason why you are not currently employed as a nurse?.......................................................48 Please indicate the MAIN reason you left your former primary employer?.........................................................48 Where is the geographical location of your current job? ....................................................................................48 What type of organization is the site(s) at which you work? (Note: The primary site is the site where you had the most hours per week) ....................................................................................................................................49 What is your position? .........................................................................................................................................49 In what area did you provide: Note: If picking multiple areas, hold down your control key as you click the appropriate areas. ...............................................................................................................................................49 Please rank the top 3 factors that influenced your current choice of work location as a nurse, with 1 being most important and 3 being the least important? .......................................................................................................50 Are you registered with any of the following associations? ................................................................................50 Where did you grow up?......................................................................................................................................50 Do you have any general comments regarding the education you received in the NEPS program?............. Error! Bookmark not defined. x
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Introduction and Methodology Goals and Objectives The purpose of this survey is to track the progress of students through the NEPS program 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
Obtain basic demographic information about the graduates
Dr. Linda Ferguson obtained ethical approval for the individual phases of this project from the
University of Saskatchewan Advisory Committee on Ethics in Behavioural Science Research. This
report includes the results of the 2-Year Graduate Follow-Up Survey for the graduates who
completed the program in 2007. This research (titled as the 2009 cohort throughout this report)
compares them to the results of the previous NEPS 2-Year Follow-Up Surveys completed in 2005,
2006, 2007 and 2008.
Scope of Work The College of Nursing of the University of Saskatchewan, the Nursing Division of the
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), and Division of Health
Sciences at the First Nations University of Canada contracted Insightrix Research, Inc. to conduct
data collection and analysis of the 2009 2-Year Follow-Up Survey of the Nursing Education
Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS) graduates. The survey was conducted by phone as well as
online.
Survey Design The questions were similar to the four NEPS 2-Year Follow-Up Surveys of previous years. Survey
questions were developed by the NEPS database Advisory Committee and were adapted for
the survey instrument by Insightrix. Insightrix programmed the survey online and conducted the
survey using a multimode approach, allowing respondents to complete the survey either by
phone or by email.
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2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Survey Distribution Insightrix received contact information for 249 graduates of NEPS from the 2006-2007 academic
year. Insightrix telephone researchers attempted to contact each individual at least four times.
If the respondent preferred to complete the survey online, they were sent an email invitation
with a link to the survey that allowed them to fill it out at their convenience.
Insightrix utilized a technology specifically designed for graduate follow up surveys. This module
called “My Classmates” is driven by data provided in the University of Saskatchewan Alumni
database and used to locate hard-to-find graduates. Upon completing the survey, graduates
were asked to provide contact information for those they graduated with that Insightrix still
needed to complete the survey. Alternatively, they were asked to have the graduate call
Insightrix’s toll free number and complete the survey at that time.
Response Rates and Confidence Intervals Data were collected from July 9th to August 24th, 2009. Of the 252 graduates who completed the
NEPS program in the 2006-2007 academic year, 226 agreed to be contacted by the University
and their contact information was provided to Insightrix. Of these potential respondents, 171
completed the survey, representing a 75.7% response rate. Given this response rate, we can be
95% sure that the results reported are within ±3.7 percentage points of the actual population
figures, finite population correction factor applied. xii
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
xiii
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Study Results Experiences in the First Year after Graduation 21. At any time during the first year after graduation, were you? Nearly all (98.2%) respondents were employed as a nurse at some point during the first year after
graduation. Four respondents were employed in a field other than nursing and four were not
employed at one time.
Count Employed as a nurse Percent 168 98.2% Not employed 4 2.3% Employed in a field other than nursing 4 2.3% 171 100.0% Multiple responses possible. 22. What was the geographical location of your first job as a graduate nurse? Nearly all respondents (95.8%) worked in Saskatchewan at their first job as a graduate nurse.
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Saskatchewan 91.3% 92.2% 95.5% 90.0% 95.8% Manitoba or Eastern Canada 1.4% 0.6% 1.3% 1.5% 0.6% Alberta or BC 5.1% 4.5% 1.9% 8.5% 3.0% USA 1.4% 1.9% 1.3% 0.0% 0.6% Other 0.7% 0.6% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
23. Please specify whether the location of your first job as a graduate nurse was: Three quarters (75.0%) of respondents worked in an urban location and 22.0% in a rural location.
2
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
24. 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, 2" being the second most important and "3" being the third most important: In all, 63.7% ranked family or community commitments in their top three factors that influenced
their choice of work location. Familiarity with facility where completed practicum (39.3%) and
clinical or client group I wanted (36.8%) are also common influencing factors.
3
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
*Totals bolded 4
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
25. How did your experience in finding your first job following graduation compare with your expectations? In total, 38.1% of respondents feel that it was less difficult than expected, while 15.5% feel that is
was more difficult than expected. The remaining 46.4% feel that it was about the same as
expected.
26. How long did it take you to obtain your first job after you started actively seeking employment following graduation? A majority (62.5%) of respondents were invited to a job before they began looking. Additionally,
one third (34.6%) indicated that it took them less than one month to find employment.
Invited to a job before I started looking Less than 1 month 1‐2 months 3‐5 months More than 6 months 2005: n=139 56.5% 34.1% 8.0% 1.4% 0.0% 2006: n=157 59.1% 33.1% 5.8% 1.3% 0.6% 2007: n=154 51.3% 41.6% 6.5% 0.5% 0.0% 2008: n=130 61.5% 35.4% 1.5% 1.5% 0.0% 2009: n=168 62.5% 34.5% 2.4% 0.6% 0.0% 5
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
27. Did you get a job offer from a unit where you were employed as a Senior Assistant? About seven in ten (72.2%) received a job offer from a unit where they were employed as a
Senior Assistant.
28. Did you get a job offer from a unit where you did your 4th year senior practicum? Six in ten (61.4%) received a job offer from a unit where they did their 4th year senior practicum.
6
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
29. What were the work hours of your first job as a graduate nurse? Three quarters (74.4%) were employed regular full-time hours in their first job as a graduate nurse,
an increase from 2008 (66.2%), 2007 (50.0%) and 2005 (66.2%) but in line with the 2005 findings
(72.5%).
Regular full‐time Casual full‐time Regular part‐time Casual part‐time 2005: n=138 72.5% 15.2% 5.8% 6.5% 2006: n=154 66.2% 20.8% 6.5% 6.5% 2007: n=154 50.0% 35.1% 7.1% 7.8% 2008: n=180 66.2% 16.9% 12.3% 4.6% 2009: n=186 74.4% 9.5% 9.5% 6.5% Note:
"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.)
30. Was being employed on this basis your preference? Eight in ten (80.9%) were employed their preferred hours.
7
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
31. To what extent did your first job meet your ideal preferences, where '1' is not at all to '5' being highly ideal? Location is the highest rated attribute of the five listed, receiving an average rating of 3.9 out of
5. The client group and responsibilities both received an average rating of 3.6 out of 5.
32. When you started your first nursing job, what was the length of your orientation (including "buddy" shifts)? Overall, 42.3% of respondents indicated that the length of their orientation period was between
6 and 15 days. Additionally, 29.2% indicated that their orientation was between 16 and 30 days,
a notable increase from 19.2% in 2008.
< 1 day 1 day 2‐5 days 6‐15 days 16‐30 days Did not receive any 2006: n=154 0.0% 1.3% 28.6% 42.9% 26.0% 1.3% 2007: n=154 1.3% 0.6% 32.5% 40.9% 22.7% 1.9% 2008: n=180 0.0% 2.3% 33.1% 43.8% 19.2% 1.5% 2009: n=168 0.0% 1.2% 26.8% 42.3% 29.2% 0.6% 8
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
33. How did you feel about the length of your orientation for your first position? A total of 42.9% of respondents feel that the length of their orientation was too short, while 2.4%
believe that it was too long. Still, most (54.8%) believe that the length is just right.
34. How well did your orientation program prepare you for your first position? Satisfaction with the orientation program has continued to decline. One quarter (23.8%) feel that
their orientation very well or quite well prepared them for their first position, which is a decrease
from 30.8% in 2008 and a high of 50.0% in 2005.
9
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
35. What was lacking from your orientation? Respondents who were dissatisfied with their orientation were asked to elaborate on what they
feel was lacking in their orientation. Four in ten (40.0%) respondents feel that they lacked a
mentor, and 34.7% of respondents feel that the orientation was too short.
36. How many sites did you work at for your first job as a graduate nurse? Similarly to previous years, a large majority (86.9%) of respondents worked at a single site for their
first job as a graduate nurse.
10
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
37. What type of organization was/were the site(s) at which you worked? (Note: The primary site is the site where you had the most hours per week) Three quarters (75.6%) of respondents will work in a general hospital with 100 beds or more in at
least one of their sites.
All sites General hospital, 100 beds and over General hospital, less than 100 beds Community Health/Health Centre Mental Health Centre / Hospital Other Nursing Home/Long Term Care Facility Educational Institution Association/Government Nursing Stations (Outpost or clinics) Primary Health Care Centre Total Count Percent 127 34 8 4 3 2 1 1 1 1 168 75.6% 20.2% 4.8% 2.4% 1.8% 1.2% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 100.0% Multiple responses possible. For respondents’ first site, a general hospital with 100 beds and over is most common (73.2%),
followed by a general hospital with less than 100 beds (19.6%).
General hospital, 100 beds and over 2005: n=138 70.3% 2006: n=154 77.3% 2007: n=154 69.5% 2008: n=180 71.5% 2009: n=168 73.2% General hospital, less than 100 beds 25.4% 19.5% 20.8% 22.3% 19.6% Community Health/Health Centre 2.2% 2.6% 3.9% 1.5% 3.6% Mental Health Centre / Hospital 0.0% 0.0% 2.6% 0.0% 1.8% Primary Health Care Centre 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.6% Nursing Home/ Long Term Care Facility 0.7% 0.6% 1.9% 1.5% 0.0% Rehabilitation/ Convalescent Centre 0.0% 0.0% 0.6% 0.0% 0.0% Other 1.4% 0.0% 0.6% 3.1% 1.2% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 11
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
38. What was your position? Nearly all respondents (98.2%) were a staff nurse or community health nurse in one of their sites.
Staff Nurse/Community Health Nurse Outpost or Primary Care Nurse Clinical Nurse Specialist Instructor/Professor/Educator Other Total Count Percent 165 98.2%
2 1.2% 1 0.6% 1 0.6% 2 1.2% 168 100.0% Multiple responses possible. 39. What was your main area of responsibility? Direct care (99.4%) is the most common area of responsibility. Three respondents worked in
administration (1.8%) and one (0.6%) worked in education.
Count Percent Direct Care 167 99.4% Administration 3 1.8% Education 1 0.6% Total 168 100.0% Multiple responses possible. 40. In what area did you provide: Most commonly, graduates report having worked in the medical or surgical area (58.9%);
however, this proportion has dropped from 73.8% in 2008.
Direct Care Education Medical/Surgical Paediatrics Maternal/Newborn Geriatric/Long term care Community Health Emergency care Other, (please specify) Palliative Care Oncology Several clinical areas Psychiatric/Mental Health Home care Critical Care Operating Room/RR Teaching ‐ Clients 2008 Count Percent 96 73.8% 19 14.6% 11 8.5% 11 8.5% 7 5.4% 6 4.6% 6 4.6% 4 3.1% 3 2.3% 3 2.3% 3 2.3% 2 1.5% 2 1.5% 1 0.8% 1 0.8% 2009 Count Percent 99 58.9% 22 13.1% 21 12.5% 8 4.8% 3 1.8% 16 9.5% 13 7.7% 1 0.6% 8 4.8% 6 3.6% 10 6.0% 6 3.6% 11 6.5% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 12
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Teaching ‐ Employees 1 130 Total 0.8% 100.0% 1 168 0.6% 100.0% 41. On average, how many hours per week did you work? On average, graduates report they worked about 40 hours in total in their first job (39.8 hours).
Minimum hours Primary Site 12 Maximum hours Average hours Second Site 4 Third Site 6 Total 24 66 40 37 111 37.3 15.9 12.2 39.8 41a. Did you work in a forensic setting? One in twenty (4.8%) worked in a forensic setting in their first job.
43. You indicated that at some time during the first year you were either unemployed or employed in something other than nursing. Please indicate why. The eight respondents who were either unemployed or employed in something other than
nursing were asked to indicate the reasons why. Three (37.5%) cited family responsibilities and
two indicated that they were going to school.
Family responsibilities Going to school Did not like job I had Wanted time off Other Total Count Percent 3 2 1 1 3 8 37.5% 25.0% 12.5% 12.5% 37.5% 100.0% 13
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Current Situation 44. What is your current employment status? About eight in ten (83.6%) respondents are currently employed as a nurse and 15.8% are on
leave from a nursing position, a total of 99.4% remaining in nursing. One respondent is employed
in an area other than nursing. This respondent was asked why they are not employed in nursing
and they replied: “I still am an RN. I run a safety program in the OH and S area.” This respondent
intends to seek employment in an area other than nursing in the future.
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Nurse 92.8% 91.7% 92.9% 88.5% 83.6% Nurse ‐ On leave 6.5% 7.6% 5.8% 11.5% 15.8% Other than nurse 0.0% 0.0% 0.6% 0.0% 0.6% Not employed 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.0% 0.0% 48. Has your primary employment changed since your first job? In total, 36.5% have changed their primary job, 44.7% are working in the same position and 18.8%
are working for the same primary employer but in a different position.
Yes, I changed my primary job. Yes, I am working for the same primary employer, but in a different position. No, I am working for the same primary employer in the same position. Total 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 21.0% 36.4% 40.1% 36.4% 36.5% 21.0% 27.9% 19.7% 26.4% 18.8% 58.0% 35.7% 40.1% 37.2% 44.7% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 14
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
46. Please indicate the MAIN reason you left your former primary employer? The most common reason that respondents left their former primary employer is for personal
reasons (40.3%), followed by dissatisfaction (24.2%).
50. Where is the geographical location of your current job? A large majority (83.0%) of graduates are currently working in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan Manitoba or Eastern Canada Alberta or BC USA Other 2005 2006 2007 2008 83.3% 87.5% 90.1% 85.2% 2.2% 0.7% 1.1% 0.0% 8.0% 7.2% 5.5% 13.6% 4.3% 2.6% 2.2% 0.0% 2.2% 2.0% 1.1% 1.2% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 2009 83.0% 4.3% 7.4% 3.2% 2.1% 100.0% 15
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
51. Do you expect to return to Saskatchewan? In total, 37.5% of the respondents who are working out-of-province expect to return to
Saskatchewan.
52. Please specify whether the location of your current job is: In total, 24.1% are working in a rural location and 72.9% are working in an urban location. The
proportion who is working in an urban location has continued to decrease from previous results.
16
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
53. What are your current work hours? Three quarters (76.5%) of respondents work regular full-time hours.
Regular full‐time 2005: n=138 78.3% 2006: n=154 75.3% 2007: n=154 74.3% 2008: n=130 72.1% 2009: n=170 76.5% Regular part‐time 7.2% 9.7% 13.2% 15.5% 14.7% Casual part‐time 5.8% 4.5% 3.9% 7.0% 5.9% Casual full‐time 8.7% 10.4% 8.6% 5.4% 2.9% 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.) 54. Was being employed on this basis your preference? A large majority (91.4%) of respondents work their preferred hours.
17
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
55. How many sites do you currently work at? Eighty percent (80.0%) work at a single site, 13.5% work at two sites and 6.5% work at three or
more sites.
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 18
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
56. What type of organization is the site(s) at which you work? Two thirds (68.2%) of respondents work at a general hospital with 100 beds and over in at least
one of their sites.
General hospital, 100 beds and over General hospital, less than 100 beds Community Health/Health Centre Home Care Agency Educational Institution Other, (please specify) Primary Health Care Centre Nursing Home/Long Term Care Facility Nursing Stations (Outpost or clinics) Association/Government Mental Health Centre / Hospital Business/Industry/Occupational Health Physician's Office/Family Practice Unit Private Nursing Agency/Private Duty Self‐employed Multiple responses possible. 2008 Count Percent 83 64.3% 34 26.4% 13 10.1% 3 2.3% 2 1.6% 1 0.8% 1 0.8% 7 5.4% 1 0.8% 3 2.3% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 3 2.3% 1 0.8% 129 100% 2009 Count Percent 116 68.2% 30 17.6% 16 9.4% 6 3.5% 5 2.9% 5 2.9% 4 2.4% 4 2.4% 3 1.8% 3 1.8% 2 1.2% 2 1.2% 1 0.6% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 170 100.0% What is your position? Most respondents work as a staff nurse (94.1%) in at least one of their sites.
2008 2009 Count Percent Count Percent 126 97.7% 160 94.1% Instructor/Professor/Educator 1 0.8% 5 2.9% Outpost or Primary Care Nurse 1 0.8% 4 2.4% Clinical Nurse Specialist 1 0.8% 3 1.8% Manager/Assistant Manager 1 0.8% 0 0.0% Staff Nurse/Community Health Nurse Other 6 4.7% 9 5.3% 129 100.0% 170 100.0% Multiple responses possible. 19
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
58. What is your main area of responsibility? Nearly all (97.6%) respondents work in direct care. Nine (5.3%) work in education in at least one
of their sites.
2008 Count Percent Direct Care 124 96.1% Education 5 3.9% Research 2 1.6% Administration 0 0.0% Total 129 100.0% Multiple responses possible. Count 166 9 1 1 170 2009 Percent 97.6% 5.3% 0.6% 0.6% 100.0% 59. In what area did you provide care: The medical and surgical area is the most common area in which respondents provide care
(45.9%).
2008 2009 Count Percent Count Percent Medical/Surgical 68 52.7% 78 45.9% Emergency care 14 10.9% 20 11.8% Maternal/Newborn 13 10.1% 20 11.8% Critical Care 7 5.4% 15 8.8% Paediatric 20 15.5% 14 8.2% Other 10 7.8% 13 7.6% Community Health 9 7.0% 12 7.1% Geriatric/Long term care 15 11.6% 10 5.9% Home care 2 1.6% 9 5.3% Several clinical areas Psychiatric/Mental Health Teaching ‐ Students 8 6.2% 7 4.1% 4 3.1% 5 2.9% 4 3.1% 4 2.4% Oncology 3 2.3% 4 2.4% Teaching ‐ Clients 1 0.8% 4 2.4% Palliative Care 6 4.7% 3 1.8% Teaching ‐ Employees 3 2.3% 2 1.2% Operating Room/RR 2 1.6% 2 1.2% Education 1 0.8% 1 0.6% Ambulatory Care 3 2.3% 0 0.0% Nursing Research only 2 1.6% 0 0.0% 129 100.0% 170 100.0% Total 20
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
60. On average, how many hours per week do you work? On average, graduates work 39.4 hours per week (all sites combined).
Second Site 1 Third Site 1 Total Minimum hours Primary Site 4 Maximum hours 108 77 24 144 Average hours 36.2 13.1 7.9 39.4 4 60a. Do you work in a forensic setting? About one in twenty (5.4%) work in a forensic setting.
21
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
61. Please rank the top 3 factors that influenced your current choice of work location as a nurse? In terms of the top three rankings, desired position is the most commonly mentioned (51.1%);
however, three in ten rank family and community commitments as most important (29.8%) in
influencing their current choice of work location.
*Totals bolded Base: all respondents ( n=130)
22
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
62. How satisfied are you with your current primary job? In total, 84.7% are satisfied or very satisfied with their current primary job.
63. How satisfied are you with your current gross annual salary for your primary job? Nine in ten graduates are satisfied or very satisfied with their current gross annual salary for their
primary job (89.2%).
23
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
24
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
64. What is the total annual earnings before taxes and deductions? The median salary of current two year out graduates is roughly $60,000.
65. Are you registered with any of the following associations? In total, nine in ten graduates are registered with SRNA and one in ten (9.9%) with another
licensure.
2008 2009 Count Percent Count Percent SRNA 113 86.9% 152 88.9% Other licensure 12 9.2% 17 9.9% None 5 3.8% 2 1.2% Total 130 100.0% 171 100.0% 25
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
General Questions 68. What is your gender? Nineteen in twenty respondents are female (95.3%) and the remaining 4.7% are male.
Base: all respondents (n=171)
69. Where did you grow up? Respondents self-defined urban and rural. A total of 28.7% of respondents grew up in a town in
Saskatchewan and 25.2% grew up in rural Saskatchewan.
Count Percent Town in Sask. 49 28.7% Rural Sask. 43 25.1% Saskatoon 32 18.7% Regina 27 15.8% Outside Sask. 15 8.8% Other in Sask. 5 2.9% 171 100% 70. Do you hold aboriginal status? One in ten (twenty-one respondents) are of aboriginal ancestry (12.3%). Of those respondents,
twelve are Status/Treaty Indian, eight are Métis and one is non-status.
Base: all respondents (n=171)
26
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
27
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
72. What is your current marital status? Most (59.1%) respondents are married and about one quarter (24.6%) are single.
Married Single Common‐law Separated Divorced Total Count 101 42 24 2 2 171 Percent 59.1% 24.6% 14.0% 1.2% 1.2% 100% 28
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
73. Do you currently have any dependent children/adults? A total of 43.3% of respondents currently have dependents.
Base: all respondents (n=171)
74. How satisfied were you with your educational experience in the NEPS program? Three quarters of respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with their educational experience in
the NEPS program (74.6%). A greater proportion of two year out graduates are very satisfied
(15.4%) compared to 2007 results (6.5%), but in line with findings from 2006 and 2005.
29
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
30
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
75. How well did your educational program prepare you for nursing practice? Two thirds feel the NEPS program prepared them well or very well for nursing practice (64.3%).
76. Have you completed or are you currently enrolled in a graduate program? In total, 8.6% have completed or are currently enrolled in a graduate program.
31
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
77. How satisfied are you with nursing as a career? In total, nine in ten (93.0%) are satisfied or very satisfied with nursing as a career. This proportion
has increased from eight in ten (82.3%) in 2008.
Very satisfied 2005: n=138 37.4% 2006: n=154 33.8% 2007: n=154 29.9% 2008: n=130 30.8% 2009: n=171 39.8% Satisfied 53.2% 50.3% 57.1% 51.5% 53.2% Total Satisfied or Very Satisfied 90.6% 84.1% 87.0% 82.3% 93.0% Dissatisfied 7.2% 10.2% 7.8% 10.0% 4.1% Very dissatisfied 0.0% 0.6% 1.3% 2.3% 0.6% Total Dissatisfied or Very Dissatisfied 7.2% 10.8% 9.1% 12.3% 4.7% Unsure 2.2% 5.1% 3.9% 5.4% 2.3% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total 78. Do you have any general comments regarding the education you received in the NEPS program? A total of 100 graduates provided general comments about the NEPS program. Four in ten
(39.0%) made suggestions or comments about the curriculum or classes and one third indicated
they would have liked more clinical experience (33.0%).
Curriculum/Class Suggestions/Issues More Clinical Experience Not Prepared/Not Satisfied More Practical Experience Overall Satisfaction/Well Prepared Other Less Theory Issues with the Instructors/Teachers No Comment Count 39 33 10 19 16 3 1 21 10 100 Percent 39.0% 33.0% 10.0% 19.0% 16.0% 3.0% 1.0% 21.0% 10.0% 100.0% 32
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Before Starting the NEPS Program 2. Did you have any previous education in the health care field prior to starting the NEPS program? One in five graduates (19.9%) had previous education in the health care field prior to enrolling in
the NEPS program.
3. Please identify your previous education in the health care field (check as many as apply): In total, 34 respondents had previous education in the health care field. The following shows the
experience they identified.
(7) LPN.
(6) Health care/home care aide.
(3) Lab tech/EMT.
(3) Volunteer program.
(2) Certified Dental Assistant.
(1) 4 Yr B.Sc. Microbiology.
(1) Anatomy and Cell Biology classes at U of S.
(1) Arts and Science.
(1) Certificate in Counselling; some university classes.
(1) CLXT (Combined Laboratory and X-ray
Technician).
(1) Degree in Physiology.
(1) Dental Assistant, Health Record Information
Practitioner, Phlebotomist.
(1) Dental Assistant.
(1) Food and Nutrition.
(1) Health Information Administration.
(1) Health Information Services.
(1) Health Records program.
(1) Indian Health Certificate.
(1) NMT (uncompleted).
(1) Occupational Physical Therapy Assistant.
(1) Optometry.
(1) Physiology degree.
(1) Registered Massage Therapist.
(1) RN in China.
33
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
4. What was your highest educational achievement prior to starting the program? Two thirds (64.3%) of respondents had at least some post-secondary education prior to starting
the program.
2005: n=139 2006: n=157 2007: n=154 2008: n=130 2009: n=171 High school diploma 36.7% 38.9% 40.9% 33.8% 35.7% 0.7% 3.2% 1.3% 0.8% 1.2% 18.7% 8.9% 15.6% 14.6% 17.5% Some university classes 35.3% 37.6% 37.0% 42.3% 36.3% University baccalaureate (Under‐Graduate) degree 8.6% 11.5% 5.2% 7.7% 9.4% SIAST (or other Technical Institute) courses SIAST (or other Technical Institute) diploma/certificate 6. What was your major activity in the year before starting NEPS? One half (54.3%) of respondents indicated that their major activity in the year before starting the
NEPS program was going to school. Additionally, four in ten (39.8%) were working and 5.9%
consider household responsibilities to be their main activity.
34
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
7. Was this work in the health care field? About one third (35.1%) of those who were working before beginning the NEPS program
indicated that they were working in the health care field.
35
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Experiences During the NEPS Program 8. What year did you start your NEPS program: Most (57.9%) respondents indicated that they began their program in 2003.
9. What was your age when you entered the NEPS program? Four in ten (41.5%) were 20 or younger when they entered the program and 35.7% were
between 21 and 25 year old.
36
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Base: all respondents ( n=171)
The average age of respondents when they started their program is approximately 23 years old.
Year Surveyed Average Median 2005 21.8 20 2006 21.8 20 2007 21.2 20 2008 22.8 20 2009 22.8 20 10. What was the program site at entry to the NEPS program? Overall, about six in ten (58.6%) respondents entered their program in Saskatoon, three in ten
(31.7%) did so in Regina and one in ten (9.7%) did so in Prince Albert.
37
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
38
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 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) Most (84.2%) graduates experienced a significant life change during the NEPS program, the
most common of which was a home relocation (50.3%).
2005: n= 139 2006: n=157 2007: n=154 2008: n=130 Home relocation 49.6% 42.7% 59.2% 42.9% 2009: n= 171 50.3% Illness or death of family member or friend 46.0% 38.9% 33.1% 37.0% 36.8% Uncertainty of nursing as a career Change in Marital Status Personal illness Care giving for a dependent adult Birth of child Other None Total 41.0% 18.0% 20.1% 17.3% 7.9% 1.4% 16.5% 100.0% 38.9% 24.8% 13.4% 15.3% 7.6% 3.8% 12.7% 100.0% 36.2% 21.5% 20.8% 19.2% 6.9% 6.9% 13.1% 100.0% 32.5% 18.2% 15.6% 14.3% 6.5% 0.6% 21.4% 100.0% 34.5% 21.6% 13.5% 22.2% 9.4% 8.2% 15.2% 100.0% 12. Did you work as a ‘senior assistant’ during your NEPS program? Just less than one half (44.1%) worked as a Senior Assistant during their NEPS program. This
proportion has continued to decrease from two thirds (65.5%) in 2005.
39
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
13. Did you have a job while in the NEPS program? Six in ten (62.4%) were employed while enrolled in the NEPS program.
14. On average, how many hours a week did you work at your job? Of those who had a job while attending the NEPS program, three quarters (77.6%) worked less
than 21 hours per week. The average amount worked was 17 hours per week.
1‐10 hours 11‐20 hours 21‐30 hours 31‐40 hours 2005: n=101 21.8% 48.5% 16.8% 5.0% 2006: n=110 28.2% 48.2% 13.6% 8.2% 2007: n=144 23.7% 57.0% 17.5% 0.9% 2008: n=87 20.8% 38.5% 4.6% 3.1% 2009: n=111 19.8% 57.8% 19.8% 0.9% 40
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
15. Did you receive any scholarships or bursaries during the program? Two thirds (65.1%) received scholarships or bursaries during the program.
16. What was the total dollar value of scholarships or bursaries you received during the NEPS program? The average value of scholarships that two year out graduates received was $6,184.
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 $1,000 & under 15.7% 8.6% 8.0% 13.5% 9.6% $1,001‐$2,000 20.2% 13.8% 13.0% 11.5% 12.3% $2,001‐$5,000 31.5% 33.6% 22.0% 25.0% 31.6% $5,001‐$10,000 18.0% 27.6% 41.0% 36.5% 32.5% Over $10,000 6.7% 13.8% 13.0% 18.8% 12.3% 41
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
17. Did you obtain any student or educational loans during the program? Most respondents obtained a student or educational loan during the program (73.1%).
18. What was the total dollar value of your student or educational loans at completion of the NEPS program? Nearly one half of respondents indicated that the total dollar value of their student or
educational loans at completion of the NEPS program was more than $30,000.
42
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
The average loan value is about $30,000.
2006 2007 2008 2009 Average $23,871 $29,674 $32,278 $30,034 19. What date did you complete your NEPS program? Within the current cohort, two thirds of respondents state they completed their NEPS program in
2006 (68.5%), 30.8% in 2005 and 0.8% in 2004.
Count
Percent
2007
119
69.6%
2006
50
29.2%
2005
2
1.2%
Total
130
100%
20. What was your program site at graduation from the NEPS program? Most (59.7%) respondents graduated from Saskatoon. Additionally, 31.2% graduated from
Regina and 9.1% from Prince Albert.
43
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Appendix A Please identify your previous education in the health care field (check as many as apply): Entries under "Other":
(2) Certified Dental Assistant.
(1) 4 Yr B.Sc. Microbiology.
(1) Anatomy and Cell Biology classes at U of S.
(1) Arts and Science.
(1) Certificate in Counselling; some university classes.
(1) CLXT (Combined Laboratory and X-ray Technician).
(1) Degree in Physiology.
(1) Dental Assistant, Health Record Information Practitioner, Phlebotomist.
(1) Dental Assistant.
(1) Food and Nutrition.
(1) Health Information Administration.
(1) Health Information Services.
(1) Health Records program.
(1) Indian Health Certificate.
(1) NMT (uncompleted).
(1) Occupational Physical Therapy Assistant.
(1) Optometry.
(1) Physiology degree.
(1) Registered Massage Therapist.
(1) RN in China.
Please specify the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificates (including field of study) you held prior to starting the program: (4) Dental Assistant Certificate.
(3) B.Sc. Physiology.
(3) LPN.
(2) B.A.
(2) Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technician Certificate.
(1) 4-Year B.Sc. in Microbiology.
(1) Administration.
(1) B.A. English.
(1) B.A. Sociology.
(1) B.A.(Advanced), Liberal Arts/English.
(1) B.Sc. Computer Science.
(1) Bachelor degree (International Business).
(1) Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology.
(1) Bachelor of Religious Education.
(1) Bachelors of Arts, major: Classical Studies, minor: History.
44
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
(1) BFA.
(1) Biotechnology, SIAST.
(1) Certificate in Practical Nursing.
(1) Diploma in Nursing (China).
(1) Early Childhood Education Diploma.
(1) Engineering Design and Drafting Technology - Civil Option.
(1) Food and Nutrition Management Diploma.
(1) Health Information Administration.
(1) Health Information Services.
(1) Indian Health Certificate.
(1) Industrial Engineering.
(1) LPN certificate.
(1) LPN or Practical Nursing Advanced Certificate at SIAST.
(1) Occupational Physical Therapy Assistant Certificate.
(1) Office Administration.
(1) Optometry(3rd year).
(1) Primary Care Paramedic.
(1) Professional Cooking.
(1) Television Production.
(1) Travel and Tourism Managment Diploma.
(1) Travel and Tourism.
(1) Truck and Transport Mechanic.
(1) Business Administration Diploma (plus one year of extra classes from U of R).
(1) Certificate in the Pharmacy Technician Program.
(1) Health Record Technician (Certificate).
(1) LPN Certificate SIAST.
(1) Marketing.
Please indicate if you experienced any of the following significant life changes during the NEPS program? (check all that apply) Entries under "Other":
(1) Already a parent at the time of starting NEPS.
(1) Challenge of being a single parent and financial challenges.
(1) Domestic legal issues (custody/relocation); emotional/psychological abuse (former C.L. spouse).
(1) Ending of a 3 1/2 year relationship.
(1) Financial struggle, lack of transportation.
(1) Having to work a fulltime job and go to school part-time.
(1) High stress life. High cost of living which was hard to meet at times.
(1) Husband moved while I was in the program.
(1) Husband moving out of Canada while I stayed in Regina.
(1) Learning to balance home life (children and spouse) with the demands of school work, and the attitude
of instructors that "you chose to go to school with children at home; deal with it." There was no offering of
support from the instructors.
(1) Separated from fiance and had to get restraining order.
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2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
(1) Stress from money, spouse.
(1) Worked two fulltime jobs.
(1) Working fulltime.
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, 2" being the second most important and "3" being the third most important: (1) Boyfriend
(1) Eligible for Recruitment Grant
(1) Familiarity with Unit where Senior Assisted
(1) Had my senior practicum there.
(1) I received position where I was employed as a senior assist.
(1) I was offered a where I worked as a senior assist. I accepted because it was PFT and I had a parking
spot at that hospital.
(1) I worked there as a Senior Assist; familiar with staff and routine of ward.
What was lacking from your orientation? Entries under "Content":
(1) All of the above.
(1) Can't teach practical in 5 shifts.
(1) Didn't go over Dr. on call list, didn't go over where to find supplies; didn't go over anything, just
buddied me to work.
(1) Didn't learn about some of the day-to-day nursing responsibilities, impossible to include everything a
nurse does.
(1) ER services should have more formal course.
(1) Expected to work in ER with no formal orientation, only experience was from practicum time. Some
orientation was provided for acute care area.
(1) Many of the staff members were unwilling to assist in a proper orientation.
(1) No orientation regarding hospital procedure and policy.
(1) Not enough department specific information.
(1) There are no books or classroom orientation to the hospital policy or procedure manual to help you,
and no nurse manager.
Entries under "Other":
(1) Insufficient buddy shifts.
(1) Management felt I was orientated as a student.
(1) No one told me procedure for fire. I could go on forever.
(1) Required more practice time/hands-on practice for certification.
(1) Several buddy shifts fell through due to lack of staffing, so I was on my own.
(1) Staffing shortage.
(1) Too much responsibility too soon.
(1) Very short staffed on unit in the beginning and not a lot of support from seasoned nurses; they were
busy with their own patients.
(1) Was teamed with supervisor position, was not prepared for this.
46
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
What type of organization was/were the site(s) at which you worked? (Note: The primary site is the site where you had the most hours per week) Primary Site:
Other:
(1) Children's hospital
(1) Correctional Facility
Secondary Site:
Other:
(1) Forensics
What was your position? Primary Site:
Other:
(1) Acute care nurse
(1) Supervisor/Community health nurse
In what area did you provide: Note: Some responses may have been recoded into applicable categories (1) Coordinating discharge services
(1) Family medicine
(1) Medical & Palliative care
(1) Medical, Surgical, Gynocology
(1) Medical/Surgical
(1) Medical; Pediatrics; Labour & delivery; Post Partum; Long Term Care; Emergency; Detox
(1) Neo Natal Intensive Care
(1) NeuroSciences
(1) Observation cardiac unit
(1) Orthepedic
(1) Pediatric/maternal
(1) Rural: ER dept and 12 bed inpatient ward
(1) Supervision of other staff working in health center
(1) Pediatric/maternal
(1) Rural therefore everything!
(1) Pediatric/maternal
Please indicate your field of work during this time: 47
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
(1) Bartender.
(1) Bedside Nursing and OH and S.
(1) Orthopedics.
(1) SCA Unit Clerk.
You indicated that at some time during the first year you were either unemployed or employed in something other than nursing. Please indicate why. (Select all that apply)
Entries under "Other":
(1) Not enough shifts.
(1) The place I worked at before I graduated wanted me to work part-time while they trained someone to
fill my position.
(1) Waiting for VISA screen to work in USA.
Please indicate your current field of work: (1) Clinical Research Coordinator.
(1) Occupational Health and Safety--safety consultant in a health region.
What is the MAIN reason why you are not currently employed as a nurse? Entries under "Other":
(1) I still am an RN. I run a safety program in the OH and S area.
Please indicate the MAIN reason you left your former primary employer? Entries under "Other":
(1) Forced to leave due to closing of Acute Care at SCH.
(1) I was subjected to harassment from other employees and management was not helpful in addressing
the situation.
(1) Increased education.
(1) Moved to rural Sask. to receive bursaries.
(1) New challenges at new job.
(1) Position in an area I desired to work in.
(1) Specialised in Forensic Nursing.
Where is the geographical location of your current job? Entries under "Other":
48
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
(1) Sydney, Australia.
(1) Yukon.
What type of organization is the site(s) at which you work? (Note: The primary site is the site where you had the most hours per week) Primary Site:
Other:
(1) Clinical Education for the entire Health Region
(1) Federal facility (forensic)
(1) Home Care Agency and Primary Care Centre
Secondary Site:
Other:
(1) Correctional center
(1) Forensics
(1) Nurse staffed std/Family planning clinic
Third Site:
Other:
(1) Health Centre and Home Care
What is your position? Primary Site:
Other:
(1) Acute care nurse
(1) Clinic Nurse/ Research Coordinator
(1) Home Care Nurse
(1) Home care nurse for tribal council
(1) I switched units to a NICU as a floor nurse, and now I'm switching again in 1 month to be a CDE of my
original med/surg unit I started on
(1) ICU
(1) Nu-hos-03
(1) Nursing student advisor
Secondary Site:
Other:
(1) Occupational health nurse
In what area did you provide: Note: If picking multiple areas, hold down your control key as you click the appropriate areas. (1) Clinical Reserach/Nursing
(1) Community Health
(1) Dialysis
(1) Homeless and Underhoused
(1) Immunization
49
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
(1) Medical; Pediatrics; Labour & delivery; Post Partum; Long Term Care; Emergency; Detox
(1) Neonatal intensive Care
(1) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
(1) Neuro
(1) Observation cardiac unit
(1) Pediatic/Maternal
(1) Rural: ER dept and 12 bed inpatient ward
(1) Hemodialysis
(1) Pediatic/Maternal
(1) Primary care nursing in outposts
(1) Rural
(1) Pediatic/Maternal
Please rank the top 3 factors that influenced your current choice of work location as a nurse, with 1 being most important and 3 being the least important? (1) Tired of the clinical nursing situations and the shortage of nurses and inadequate nurse to patient
ratios in this province
Are you registered with any of the following associations? Entries under "Other":
(2) CARNA.
(2) CRNBC.
(1) BCNU.
(1) Board of Minnesota.
(1) CARNA
(1) CARNA, NMB.
(1) CRNM.
(1) LPN.
(1) MRNA.
(1) ONA, SRNA, CRNBC.
(1) ONA.
(1) SRNA and BCNU.
(1) SRNA and the Alberta equivalent (CRNA?).
(1) SUN.
(1) Washington State.
Where did you grow up? 50
2-Year Follow-up Survey of the 2007 Graduates of the NEPS Program
Entries under "Other":
(2) Alberta.
(2) China.
(2) South Korea.
(2) Winnipeg, MB.
(1) Germany.
(1) Philippines.
(1) Reserve.
(1) St. Albert, Alberta.
(1) Surrey, BC.
(1) Swan River, Manitoba.
(1) West Africa.
51