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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to discuss an evaluation to determine the strengths and weaknesses of an advanced practice nursing program.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to describe a process for strengthening an advanced practice nursing program in response to a survey of graduates.
The NP survey assessed opinions regarding current employment, perceptions of issues confronting nurse practitioners and opinions regarding educational preparation for the advanced practice nursing role The greatest number of the 47 graduates who responded graduated within the previous 5 years of taking the survey and all but one of these are certified as NPs. 91.5% are currently practicing in the NP role and 70% have had only 1-2 NP jobs. 87% believed their clinical experiences adequately prepared them for practice, but fewer, 78%, believed that their academic education adequately prepared them for practice. 83% felt that their academic program prepared them adequately for the certification exam, but 17% did not.
Half of the participants have hospital privileges and nearly 60% are spending 25% or less of their time in an acute care setting. However, nearly 20% are spending more than 75% in an acute care setting. 43% are serving as preceptors, but 57% are not. Of those who are not serving as preceptors, 58% would be willing to, but 42% would not.
In response to these findings we invited a panel of graduates, who are spending more time in acute care settings, to share their experiences in practice. We are also addressing these changes in our current content program restructuring and content mapping.