MSN Exit Interview – Post Masters Entry-Collected 2014
The VUSN Exit Interview was taken by 16 post masters entry graduates between April 2014 and December 2014. Those invited to participate graduated in May, August or December 2014. We do not have information to assess the response rate of the post masters entry group separately. Response rate across both groups to the initial invitation and reminder sent to 404 graduates between April 2014 and December 2014 was 36%.
Demographics
We did not ask demographic information this survey year. Specialization
Specialty
N=16
n %
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (including ACNP/FNP-ED) 3 18.8
Adult Nurse Practitioner (all types) 1 6.3
Family Nurse Practitioner 0
Health Systems Management 1 6.3
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner 1 6.3
Nursing Informatics 2 12.5
Nurse-midwifery (including nurse-midwifery/FNP) 1 6.3
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (primary & acute) 4 25.0
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (all types) 0
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (including WHNP/ANP) 3 18.8
Background Information Concerning MSN Program
Thirty-one percent of the participants (n=5) did not work at any time while attending. However, 44% worked full time time (n=7) and 19% (n=3) worked part time while completing the VUSN program. Six percent of respondents (n=1) varied between full and part time work.
The average number of semesters taken to complete the MSN program was 5.1 (SD 2.0), with a range of 3 to 9 semesters.
Perception of Ability
Respondents were asked to indicate their perception of their ability upon graduation from the MSN program on a 5 item scale (very poor, poor, adequate, good, excellent).
% rating (n=14-16)
% rating (n=14-16)
Perception of Ability Mean SD Very Poor Poor Adequate Good Excellent Provide comprehensive,
high quality care to individuals and groups in
complex situations. 4.5 .650 0.0 0.8 7.1 35.7 57.1
Work collaboratively with other health professionals in the systematic
implementation and evaluation of health care
delivery. 4.8 .403 0.0 0.0 0.0 18.8 81.3
Use teaching skills in
advanced practice role. 4.3 .619 0.0 0.0 6.3 50.0 43.8
Use management skills in
advanced practice role. 4.4 .629 0.0 0.0 6.3 43.8 50.0
Use advanced clinical
skills in the practice role. 4.6 .632 0.0 0.0 6.7 26.7 66.7
Use research findings in the implementation and
evaluation of nursing care. 4.4 .629 0.0 0.0 6.3 43.8 50.0
Participate in clinical research activities by assisting with data collection, tabulation and analysis and by generating
research questions. 4.06 .854 0.0 0.0 31.3 31.3 37.5
Assume a leadership role as a change agent in
clinical practice. 4.3 .719 0.0 0.0 12.5 37.5 50.0
Make decisions using
advanced knowledge 4.8 .403 0.0 0.0 0.0 18.8 81.3
Apply ethical principles to
nursing practice 4.7 .447 0.0 0.0 0.0 25.0 75.0
The ability to apply ethical principles to nursing practice was rated Excellent by the highest percent of respondents (66%, n=82) and the ability to use participate in clinical research was rated Excellent by the lowest percent of respondents (28%, n=35).
Program Satisfaction
Students were asked to rate their satisfaction with the MSN program as a whole on a 5 item scale (Very low, Low, Neutral, High, Very high). The majority of respondents (75%, n=12) rated their satisfaction as high or very high.
N=16 Mean SD Very Low Low Neutral High Very High Overall
Satisfaction 4.13 .806 0.0 0.0 25.0 37.5 37.5
Specialty ratings of program satisfaction are presented in the following table. Overall
Satisfaction n Mean SD Very Low Low Neutral High Very High
ACNP 3 3.67 .577 0.0 0.0 33.3 66.7 0.0 ANP 1 3.00 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0 FNP 0 HSM 1 3.00 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0 NNP 1 5.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 NI 2 4.50 .707 0.0 0.0 0.0 50.0 50.0 NMW 1 4.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 PNP 4 4.75 .500 0.0 0.0 0.0 25.0 75.0 PMHNP 0 WHNP 3 4.00 1.00 0.0 0.0 33.3 33.3 33.3 Preparedness to Practice
Students were asked to rate their perception of overall preparedness to practice in their area of concentration upon graduation on a 5 item scale (Not at all, Minimally, Somewhat, Adequately, Well).
N=16 Mean SD Not at
all Minimally Somewhat Adequately Well Preparedness
to practice 4.56 .512 0.0 0.0 0.0 43.8 56.3
Specialty ratings of preparedness to practice are presented in the following table. Perception of
Preparedness n Mean SD
Not at
all Minimally Somewhat Adequately Well
ACNP 3 4.67 .577 0.0 0.0 0.0 33.3 66.7 ANP 1 4.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 FNP 0 HSM 1 4.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 NNP 1 5.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 NI 2 4.50 .707 0.0 0.0 0.0 50.0 50.0 NMW 1 5.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 PNP 4 4.75 .500 0.0 0.0 0.0 25.0 75.0 PMHNP 0 WHNP 3 4.33 .577 0.0 0.0 0.0 66.7 33.3
Role Expectation
When asked what setting they were or expected to be employed in as an advanced practice nurse, 38% (n=6) chose “academic practice/hospital” and one quarter of the respondents (25%, n=4) chose “private hospital”.
Respondents were asked what primary role they were or expected to be employed in. Primary Expected Role
N=16 %
Administrator/Supervisor 12.5
Clinical Manger, Coordinator, Head Nurse 0.0
Clinical Nurse Specialist 6.3
Consultant 0.0
Staff Development/Continuing Ed 6.3
Faculty (nursing school) 0.0
Nurse-Midwife 6.3 Nurse Practitioner 75.0 Researcher 0.0 Staff Nurse 0.0 Other 6.3 Employment
Nineteen percent of respondents (n=3) were currently employed as an advanced practice nurse. When asked about current job title, the most commonly cited title was registered nurse (22%, n=2). Fifty-four percent of the respondents (n=7) who worked while a student planned on working for the same agency after graduation. Thirty-one percent (n=4) did not plan on working for the same agency. Seventy-one percent (n=10) of respondents not currently working in an advanced practice position (n=14) had started interviewing for a position specific to their MSN or post-masters specialization.
Rating Aspects of the Program
Respondents were asked to rate aspects of the program on a 5 item scale (Very Poor, Poor, Adequate, Good, Excellent).
Aspect of Program
% rating (N=13-16)
Mean SD Very Poor Poor Adequate Good Excellent
Course/Program Advising 4.1 1.02 6.3 0.0 6.3 50.0 37.5
VUSN Financial Aid 3.9 .854 0.0 6.3 18.8 50.0 25.0
VU Financial Aid 3.9 .884 0.0 6.7 20.0 46.7 26.7
Amount of Financial Aid 4.0 1.15 6.3 6.3 6.3 43.8 37.5
Psych. and Counseling
Center @ VU 3.8 .689 0.0 0.0 30.8 53.8 15.4
Aspect of Program
% rating (N=13-16)
Mean SD Very Poor Poor Adequate Good Excellent Instructional Media Center
@ VUSN 4.5 .640 0.0 0.0 6.7 33.3 60.0
Clinical Resources Used
by VUSN 4.7 .458 0.0 0.0 0.0 26.7 73.3
Informatics/Computer
Support 4.4 .743 0.0 0.0 13.3 26.7 60.0
Library Resources were rated Excellent by the highest percent of respondents (88%) followed by Clinical Resources (73%). Psych and Counseling Center was rated Excellent by the lowest percent of respondents (15%).
