Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan …Final Report August 2005 NEPS 2-Year Follow-Up Survey...

Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS)

2-Year Follow-Up Survey: 2003 Graduates

Prepared for The College of Nursing of the University of Saskatchewan, and the Nursing Division of the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology

Final Report August 2005

NEPS 2-Year Follow-Up Survey August 2005

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This report was compiled by Insightrix Research Services #104-110 Research Dr. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3R3 306.657.5640 Project #1443 Corrin Harper, Director of Research Services, [email protected] Jackie Chometa Keele, Project Manager, [email protected] Jessica Schnell, Data Analyst, [email protected]

For: Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan


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Acknowledgments

We wish to acknowledge the support and direction from the Deans of the Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan: Dean Beth Horsburgh Dean Diana Davidson Dick

College of Nursing Nursing Division University of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology

and the members of the Ad Hoc Advisory Team:

Beth Horsburgh, College of Nursing Peggy MacLeod, College of Nursing Marlene Smadu, College of Nursing Norma Wildeman, Nursing Division, SIAST Diana Davidson Dick, Nursing Division, SIAST Lois Berry, Nursing Division, SIAST Joyce Desjarlais, 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) 2-Year Follow-Up Survey: Graduates from the 2002-2003 Academic Year. Final Report. (August 2005) is available from either the College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, or the Nursing Division, Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology.

Project Coordination Team Gail Laing (CofN), Joan Sawatzky (CofN), Annie Meng (CofN), Linda Ferguson (CofN), Diane Jensen (SIAST), Marian Morrissey (SIAST), and Anthony de Padua (First Nations University of Canada)


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 7

RESPONSE RATES AND REPRESENTATIVENESS................................................................................................ 7

WHO IS THE NURSING GRADUATE?............................................................................................................... 7

EXPERIENCES DURING THE NEPS PROGRAM................................................................................................ 8

EXPERIENCES IN THE FIRST YEAR AFTER GRADUATION.................................................................................. 9

CURRENT EMPLOYMENT OF GRADUATES .................................................................................................... 10

GRADUATES’ SATISFACTION ....................................................................................................................... 12

INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY........................................................................................... 13

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................ 13

SCOPE OF WORK........................................................................................................................................ 13

SURVEY DESIGN ......................................................................................................................................... 13

SURVEY DISTRIBUTION ............................................................................................................................... 13

RESPONSE RATES AND CONFIDENCE INTERVALS.......................................................................................... 14

BEFORE STARTING THE NEPS PROGRAM ..................................................................................... 15

1. WHICH PROGRAM DID YOU COMPLETE AS A GRADUATE FROM THE COLLEGE OF NURSING? ...................... 15

2. DID YOU HAVE ANY PREVIOUS EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH CARE FIELD PRIOR TO STARTING THE NEPS

PROGRAM? ................................................................................................................................................ 15

3. Identify your previous education in the health care field ............................................................. 15

4. WHAT WAS YOUR HIGHEST EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT PRIOR TO STARTING THE PROGRAM? .................. 16

5. Specify the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificates (including field of study) you held prior to starting the

program:.............................................................................................................................................. 16

6. WHAT WAS YOUR MAJOR ACTIVITY IN THE YEAR BEFORE STARTING NEPS?............................................... 17

7. WAS THIS WORK IN THE HEALTH CARE FIELD?......................................................................................... 17

EXPERIENCES DURING THE NEPS PROGRAM .............................................................................. 18

8. WHAT YEAR AND MONTH DID YOU START YOUR NEPS PROGRAM: ............................................................. 18

9. WHAT WAS YOUR AGE WHEN YOU ENTERED THE NEPS PROGRAM? .......................................................... 19

10. WHAT WAS THE PROGRAM SITE AT ENTRY TO THE NEPS PROGRAM? ...................................................... 20

11. Indicate if you experienced any of the following significant life changes during the NEPS

program? ............................................................................................................................................. 21

12. DID YOU WORK AS A SENIOR ASSIST DURING YOUR NEPS PROGRAM?.................................................... 23

13. DID YOU HAVE A JOB WHILE IN THE NEPS PROGRAM? .......................................................................... 24

14. ON AVERAGE, HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK DID YOU WORK AT YOUR JOB? ................................................ 25

15. DID YOU RECEIVE ANY SCHOLARSHIPS OR BURSARIES DURING THE PROGRAM?....................................... 26

16. WHAT WAS THE TOTAL DOLLAR VALUE OF SCHOLARSHIPS OR BURSARIES YOU RECEIVED DURING THE NEPS

PROGRAM? ................................................................................................................................................ 27

17. DID YOU OBTAIN ANY STUDENT OR EDUCATIONAL LOANS DURING THE PROGRAM? ................................. 28

18. WHAT WAS THE TOTAL DOLLAR VALUE OF YOUR STUDENT OR EDUCATIONAL LOANS AT COMPLETION OF THE

NEPS PROGRAM? ...................................................................................................................................... 29

19. WHAT DATE DID YOU COMPLETE YOUR NEPS PROGRAM?..................................................................... 30

20. WHAT WAS YOUR PROGRAM SITE AT GRADUATION FROM THE NEPS PROGRAM?..................................... 31

EXPERIENCES IN THE FIRST YEAR AFTER GRADUATION....................................................... 32

21. At any time during the first year after graduation, were you: .................................................... 32

22. WHAT WAS THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF YOUR FIRST JOB AS A GRADUATE NURSE?......................... 33

23. SPECIFY WHETHER THE LOCATION OF YOUR FIRST JOB AS A GRADUATE NURSE WAS:............................... 34

24. 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:...................................................................................................................................... 35

Ranked as first influential factor: ........................................................................................................ 35

Ranked as second influential factor:.................................................................................................... 36


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Ranked as third influential factor:....................................................................................................... 36

Top 3 factors (combined):................................................................................................................... 37

25. HOW DID YOUR EXPERIENCE IN FINDING YOUR FIRST JOB FOLLOWING GRADUATION COMPARE WITH YOUR

EXPECTATIONS? ......................................................................................................................................... 38

26. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO OBTAIN YOUR FIRST JOB AFTER YOU STARTED ACTIVELY SEEKING

EMPLOYMENT FOLLOWING GRADUATION?................................................................................................... 39

27. DID YOU GET A JOB OFFER FROM A UNIT WHERE YOU WERE EMPLOYED AS A SENIOR ASSIST? ................. 40

28. DID YOU GET A JOB OFFER FROM A UNIT WHERE YOU DID YOUR 4TH

YEAR SENIOR PRACTICUM? .............. 41

29. WHAT WERE THE WORK HOURS OF YOUR FIRST JOB AS A GRADUATE NURSE? .......................................... 42

30. WAS BEING EMPLOYED ON A {HOURS} BASIS YOUR PREFERENCE? ......................................................... 43

31. TO WHAT EXTENT DID YOUR FIRST JOB MEET YOUR IDEAL PREFERENCES, WHERE '1' IS NOT AT ALL TO '5'

BEING HIGHLY IDEAL? ................................................................................................................................ 44

a. Location ........................................................................................................................................... 44

b. Client Group .................................................................................................................................... 45

c. Responsibilities ................................................................................................................................ 46

d. Shifts ................................................................................................................................................ 47

e. Work Environment ........................................................................................................................... 48

32. WHEN YOU STARTED YOUR FIRST NURSING JOB, WHAT WAS THE LENGTH OF YOUR ORIENTATION

(INCLUDING "BUDDY" SHIFTS)? .................................................................................................................. 50

33. HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE LENGTH OF YOUR ORIENTATION FOR YOUR FIRST POSITION? ................. 51

34. HOW WELL DID YOUR ORIENTATION PROGRAM PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR FIRST POSITION? ...................... 52

35. WHAT WAS LACKING FROM YOUR ORIENTATION?................................................................................... 53

36. HOW MANY SITES DID YOU WORK AT FOR YOUR FIRST JOB AS A GRADUATE NURSE?................................. 54

37. What type of organization was/were the site(s) at which you worked? ...................................... 55

Primary Site:........................................................................................................................................ 55

Secondary Site: .................................................................................................................................... 56

Third Site: ............................................................................................................................................ 56

38. WHAT WAS YOUR POSITION?................................................................................................................. 57

Primary Site:........................................................................................................................................ 57

Secondary Site: .................................................................................................................................... 58

Third Site: ............................................................................................................................................ 58

39. WHAT WAS YOUR MAIN AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY?................................................................................. 59

Primary Site:........................................................................................................................................ 59

Secondary Site: .................................................................................................................................... 59

Third Site: ............................................................................................................................................ 60

40. In what service area did you provide:.......................................................................................... 61

Direct Care First Site .......................................................................................................................... 61

Direct Care Second Site....................................................................................................................... 62

Education Second Site ......................................................................................................................... 62

Direct Care Third Site ......................................................................................................................... 62

41. ON AVERAGE, HOW MANY HOURS PER WEEK DID YOU WORK? ................................................................ 63

CURRENT EMPLOYMENT SITUATION............................................................................................. 64

44. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYMENT STATUS?................................................................................... 64

48. HAS YOUR PRIMARY EMPLOYMENT CHANGED SINCE YOUR FIRST JOB?.................................................... 65

49. INDICATE THE MAIN REASON YOU LEFT YOUR FORMER PRIMARY EMPLOYER?........................................ 66

50. WHERE IS THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF YOUR CURRENT JOB? ....................................................... 67

51. DO YOU EXPECT TO RETURN TO SASKATCHEWAN? ................................................................................ 69

52. SPECIFY WHETHER THE LOCATION OF YOUR CURRENT JOB IS: ............................................................... 70

53. WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT WORK HOURS? ............................................................................................ 72

54. IS BEING EMPLOYED ON A {HOURS} BASIS YOUR PREFERENCE? ............................................................. 73

55. HOW MANY SITES DO YOU CURRENTLY WORK AT?.................................................................................. 74

56. What type of organization is the site(s) at which you work? ...................................................... 75

Primary Site:........................................................................................................................................ 75

Secondary Site: .................................................................................................................................... 76

Third Site: ............................................................................................................................................ 76


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57. WHAT IS YOUR POSITION? .................................................................................................................... 77

Primary Site:........................................................................................................................................ 77

Secondary Site: .................................................................................................................................... 78

Third Site: ............................................................................................................................................ 78

58. WHAT IS YOUR MAIN AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY? .................................................................................... 79

Primary Site:........................................................................................................................................ 79

Secondary Site: .................................................................................................................................... 79

Third Site ............................................................................................................................................. 79

59. In what service area did you provide:.......................................................................................... 80

First Site Direct Care .......................................................................................................................... 80

Direct Care Second Site....................................................................................................................... 81

Direct Care Third Site ......................................................................................................................... 81

60. ON AVERAGE, HOW MANY HOURS PER WEEK DO YOU WORK? ................................................................. 82

61. 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?......................................................... 82

Ranked as first influential factor: ........................................................................................................ 82

Ranked as second influential factor:.................................................................................................... 83

Ranked as third influential factor:....................................................................................................... 83

Top 3 factors (combined):.................................................................................................................... 84

64. HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH YOUR CURRENT PRIMARY JOB? .............................................................. 85

65. HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH YOUR CURRENT GROSS ANNUAL SALARY FOR YOUR PRIMARY JOB? ........... 87

66. WHAT ARE YOUR TOTAL ANNUAL EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES AND DEDUCTIONS? ...................................... 88

DEMOGRAPHICS..................................................................................................................................... 90

67. ARE YOU REGISTERED WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ASSOCIATIONS?.................................................... 90

68. WHAT IS YOUR GENDER?...................................................................................................................... 91

69. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?................................................................................................................. 91

70. DO YOU HOLD ABORIGINAL STATUS? .................................................................................................... 92

71. You indicated that you are Aboriginal; please indicate if you are: .............................................. 92

72. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT MARITAL STATUS?........................................................................................... 93

73. DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE ANY DEPENDENT CHILDREN/ADULTS? .......................................................... 93

GRADUATES’ SATISFACTION............................................................................................................. 94

74. HOW SATISFIED WERE YOU WITH YOUR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE NEPS PROGRAM? ................ 94

75. HOW WELL DID YOUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM PREPARE YOU FOR NURSING PRACTICE? ........................ 96

76. HAVE YOU COMPLETED OR ARE YOU CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN A GRADUATE PROGRAM?........................ 97

77. HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH NURSING AS A CAREER?......................................................................... 97

78. DO YOU HAVE ANY GENERAL COMMENTS REGARDING THE EDUCATION YOU RECEIVED IN THE NEPS

PROGRAM? ................................................................................................................................................ 99

CONCLUSIONS: SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS.......................................................................... 100

BEFORE STARTING THE NEPS PROGRAM .................................................................................................. 100

EXPERIENCES DURING THE NEPS PROGRAM............................................................................................ 100

EXPERIENCES IN THE FIRST YEAR AFTER GRADUATION ............................................................................. 101

CURRENT EMPLOYMENT SITUATION.......................................................................................................... 103

DEMOGRAPHICS....................................................................................................................................... 104

GRADUATES’ SATISFACTION ..................................................................................................................... 104


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Survey of the Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan: 2-Year Follow-up of Graduates of 2003

Executive Summary

August 2005


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Executive Summary

This report summarizes the results of the 2005 2-Year Graduate Follow-Up Study for the Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS). These respondents were a part of the 2002-2003 graduating class. The survey has two major themes. Firstly, the survey includes an in-depth 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 comparisons to the 2-year follow-up surveys from the past two years. Surveying the 2003 graduating class and comparing their responses to 2001 and 2002 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.

Response Rates and Representativeness

Data were collected from May 30 to June 30, 2005. Of the total 192 potential respondents, 138 completed the entire survey, representing a 71.9% response rate. Overall, this represents 84.1% of the available graduates (i.e. excluding the 28 graduates that could not be reached after at least four attempts due to a busy signal, answering machine, no answer, etc). Of the 26 students who did not complete the survey, 13 were followed up on, but never completed the survey, and 13 graduates were contacted but did not complete the survey (i.e. polite refusal-appointments were made to complete the survey at a later date but the potential respondents were unavailable at that time).

Who is the Nursing Graduate?

Of the graduates surveyed, 90.5% are female and 9.5% are male. The majority of the graduates (92%) grew up in Saskatchewan. The average age of the student entering NEPS was 21.8 years. Of the total graduates, approximately 5% identify themselves as aboriginal. Over half (56.2%) are married or common law and 75.9% of graduates do not have any dependent children/adults. Of the total graduates surveyed, 15.3% had previous education in the health care field, prior to starting the NEPS program, and 62.8% of respondents had some post-secondary education prior to starting NEPS. Just over half of all respondents were going to school the year before starting NEPS. This number decreased steadily from past years. Another, 43.5% of respondents indicated that they were working the year before starting NEPS (compared to 26.9% in


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2003 and 38.9% in the 2002 study). Of those who worked prior to entering the program, 23.3% (14 respondents) had worked in the health care field.

Experiences During the NEPS Program

Over half (56.9%) of the graduates started the NEPS program in 1999. The majority (54.7%) indicated that Saskatoon was the program site of entry, a decrease from 61.8% of 2002 graduates, and 83.7% of 2001 graduates. This decrease is a result of response rate differentials from year to year.

Nearly 66% of the respondents indicated that they had worked as a senior assist during the NEPS program. This number has shown a gradual increase over the years. Graduates from the Saskatoon program (70%) were more likely than those from the Regina program (58%) to work as Senior Assists. Of the total graduates surveyed, nearly 70% indicated they worked while taking the NEPS program. The mean number of hours worked per week is 16.3.

Sixty-three percent of respondents indicated they had received bursaries or scholarships during the program. This has increased from 47.2% of 2002 graduates. The average value of scholarships or bursaries received is $3,936. The percentage of respondents receiving student or other educational loans increased from 68.1% of 2002 graduates to 76.6% of 2003 graduates, but was similar to 74% of 2001 grads. The mean total dollar value of student or educational loans at the completion of the NEPS program had increased from $21,137 in the 2002 survey and $22,596 in the 2003 survey to $24,708 in 2004, but did not show a major increase from the 2004 to the 2005 survey, in which the average was $25,100. The two major life challenges indicated by respondents that they experienced during the NEPS program were home relocation (49.6%), and death or illness of a family member or friend (46.7%). In 2005, uncertainty of nursing as a profession increased to 41.6%, as compared to 29% in the previous year. Respondents who entered the program in Saskatoon were significantly more likely to experience this uncertainty (46.7%, compared to 35.5% of Regina respondents). Also, 53.8% of males experienced uncertainty, compared to 40% of females. The majority (62.8%) indicated Saskatoon as their program site at graduation, while 37.2% indicated Regina as their program site at graduation; compared to 31.9% in Regina and 68.1% in Saskatoon in the 2004 survey and 15.4% in Regina and 84.6% in Saskatoon in the 2002 survey. Again, these differences across years are a result of a change in response rates.


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Experiences in the First Year after Graduation

Hiring

Of the 138 respondents, 137 indicated they were employed as a nurse within the first year after graduation. Nearly half of respondents (49.3%) found their experience in finding their first job less difficult than they had expected. Thirty-six percent said that it was the same as they expected, and 14.7% thought it was more difficult. Of the total graduates surveyed, 56.6% were invited to their job before they had actively started seeking employment. Although still quite high, this number has dropped from 65.7% of 2004 respondents. Of the respondents who worked as Senior Assists during the NEPS program, 57.3% received a job offer from a unit in which they were employed as a Senior Assist, a decrease from the 65.9% of 2002 graduates and 73.7% of 2001 graduates. While less people worked as Senior Assists in Regina, those who did were more likely than those from Saskatoon to get a job offer from the unit where they were a Senior Assist (66.7% compared to 52.5%). Also, 66.7% of respondents from the Regina program indicated they received a job offer from the unit where they did their 4th year practicum compared to 50.6% of Saskatoon graduates. Overall, the percentage of graduates who received a job offer from the unit where they did their 4th year practicum decreased from 67.3% of 2003 respondents to 56.6% of 2005 respondents.

Location

Of the total graduates employed as a nurse, 91.2% indicated that their first job was in Saskatchewan. Another 5.1% worked in Alberta or BC for their first job and only 3.7% worked elsewhere. The majority (89% of respondents) indicated their first job was in an urban setting. In terms of choosing a location for their first job, the most frequently cited factor influencing the decision was family and community commitments, with 61.8% of respondents saying that it was one of the top three factors. The second most common response was geographic location, with 43.4% of respondents. Other common responses were: ‘position I wanted’ (29.4%), ‘signing bonus’ (24.3%), ‘clinical/client group I wanted’ (23.5%), and ‘total hours I wanted’ (21.3%).

Orientation

Sixty-two percent of the respondents indicated that their orientation lasted between 6 and 30 days. Sixty-nine percent felt that the length of their orientation was about right, while 31% indicated that the length of orientation was too short. The length of orientation has decreased from previous years. Also, 37.5% of respondents think that their orientation prepared them quite well for their first position. Another 36% think that it was satisfactory, and 13.2% think it prepared them very well. 13.2% said not very well or very poorly.


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. Profile of First Job

The majority (86% of respondents) indicated that they worked at 1 site for their first job as a graduate nurse. Only 8.1% of respondents indicated they worked at two sites, and 5.9% worked at three or more sites. In terms of working hours, 72.8% of respondents indicated they were employed on a regular full-time basis, similar to 73.4% in the previous year. Another 15.4% worked casual full-time, 6.6% worked casual part-time, and 5.1% worked regular part-time. Seventy-one percent of respondents indicated that their primary work site was a general hospital with over 100 beds. This has dropped from 83% in the previous year. Twenty-six percent of respondents worked in a general hospital with less than 100 beds in their primary site. This has increased from 11% in the previous year. Nearly all, 99% of respondents indicated that they were employed as a staff nurse at their primary site and 100% of respondents indicated that their main area of responsibility at the primary site was direct care. Of the respondents providing direct care, 65.4% of respondents indicated that their area of service at the primary site was medical/surgical, 15.4% indicated pediatric, and 13.2% indicated emergency care. Eighty-six percent of respondents said that the location of their first job was ideal or highly ideal. 71.3% said that the responsibilities were ideal or highly ideal. Sixty-eight percent said that the client group was ideal or highly ideal. Fifty-eight percent said that the work environment was ideal or highly ideal. Fifty-six percent said that the shifts of their first job were ideal or highly ideal.

Current Employment of Graduates

Of the total graduates surveyed, 92.7% indicated they are currently working as a nurse, very similar to the 2003 and 2004 survey results (for 2001 and 2002 graduates). No one reported working in a field other than nursing, however 9 respondents (6.6%) are currently on leave and one respondent is currently unemployed. In terms of changing employment since the first year after graduating NEPS, 58.8% of respondents indicated that they were in the same position with the same employer. Another 20.6% indicated they were working for the same employer but different position and 20.6% of respondents indicated that they are working for a new employer. Respondents who left their first employer did so for a variety of reasons, including dissatisfaction with their former job, personal reasons, and a permanent position/job security.


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Location

Of the respondents who are currently nursing, 83.1% are currently employed in Saskatchewan compared to 91.2% in their first job. Only 70.2% of 2001 graduates were working in Saskatchewan two years after graduation. Of the 23 respondents employed in nursing outside of Saskatchewan, 7 (30.4%) intend to return to Saskatchewan. Of the respondents currently working, 87.5% indicated they are currently located in an urban area, 11% work in a rural area, and two people said both. Respondents who grew up in a city in Saskatchewan are least likely to work in a rural area.

Profile of Current Job

Of the respondents presently working as nurses, 77.9% are working on a regular full-time basis as compared to 72.8% of respondents in their first job. Another 8.8% are working casual full-time, 7.4% are working regular part-time, and 5.9% are working casual part-time. Of the respondents presently nursing, 87.5% indicated that the amount of hours they are currently working is their preference, as compared to 81.6% of respondents in their first job.

Of those currently working as a nurse, 63% indicated that their primary work site is a general hospital with over 100 beds, as compared to 80% of 2004 respondents. Another 30% work in a general hospital with less than 100 beds, compared to 9% from the previous year. Of the respondents presently working as a nurse, 96% indicated that they are working as a staff nurse. Ninety eight percent indicated that their main area of responsibility at their primary site is direct care. Of those providing direct care, 54% indicated that their current area of service at the primary site is medical/surgical, followed by emergency care at 14.3%.

Compensation

Overall, 83.1% of respondents indicated that they are satisfied or very satisfied with their current gross annual salary, as compared to 85.8% of respondents from the 2004 survey and 81.7% in the 2003 study. Of the total graduates, 54.8% indicated that their total annual gross earnings are between $50,000 and $59,999.

In the 2002 study, 83% of Saskatchewan respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with their gross annual salary. The 2003 study revealed a drop in satisfaction of Saskatchewan respondents to 76.7%. Satisfaction levels once again increased to 86% in 2004 and are at 81.4% this year. Of the respondents who work outside of Saskatchewan, 91.3% are satisfied or very satisfied with their gross annual salary.


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Graduates’ Satisfaction

In total, 79.5% of respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with their current primary job. Of the respondents currently working in Saskatchewan, 30.1% are very satisfied with their current job, compared to 43.5% of respondents working outside of Saskatchewan. However, another 50.4% of those working in Saskatchewan said that they were satisfied, compared to 30.4% of those working elsewhere.

Of the graduates surveyed, 76.7% indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied with their educational experience in the NEPS program (compared to 80.5% in the 2004 study and 80.7% in 2003), while 21.9% indicated they were either very dissatisfied or dissatisfied. Those who graduated from Saskatoon (82.6%) were more satisfied with their educational experience than those who graduated from Regina (66.7%).

Also, of the total respondents, 71.5% indicated that the educational program prepared them well or very well for nursing practice, while 27.8% indicated they were not well prepared or poorly prepared. The percentage of respondents feeling well prepared for their nursing practice has not changed much since the 2003 and 2004 surveys, in which 70.2% and 69.4% of 2001 and 2002 graduates, respectively, indicated feeling well or very well prepared.

Of the total graduates surveyed, 90.5% indicated they are satisfied or very satisfied with nursing as a career, while 7.3% indicated they are dissatisfied. As would be expected, satisfaction with nursing as a career is highly correlated with satisfaction with current job and how well prepared respondents felt that the program made them.


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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 • Obtain basic demographic information about the graduates

Ethics approvals for the individual phases of this project were obtained from the University of Saskatchewan Advisory Committee on Ethics in Behavioral Science Research. This report includes the results of the 2-Year Graduate Follow-Up Survey for the graduates of the 2002-2003 academic year and compares them to the results of the two previous NEPS 2-Year Follow-Up Surveys.

Scope of Work The College of Nursing of the University of Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) contracted Insightrix Research Services to conduct analysis of the 2005 2-Year Follow-Up Survey of the Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS) graduates. The survey was conducted primarily by phone (77%), with an option of completing it online (23%).

Survey Design The questions were similar to the three previous NEPS 2-Year Follow-Up Surveys of 2002, 2003 and 2004. 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.

Survey Distribution

Insightrix received contact information for 192 graduates of NEPS from the 2002-2003 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 which allowed them to fill it out at their convenience.


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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.

Response Rates and Confidence Intervals

Of the 192 graduates, 138 completed the survey (106 completes by phone and 32 online), giving a response rate of 71.9% overall. Given this response rate, we can be 95% sure that the results reported are within ± 4.4% of the actual population figures.


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Before Starting the NEPS Program

1. Which program did you complete as a graduate from the College of Nursing?

This question was used as a screener. Every respondent completed the NEPS program.

2. Did you have any previous education in the health care field prior to starting the NEPS program?

Key Findings:

• 15.3% of respondents had previous education in the health care field prior to starting the NEPS program.

3. Please identify your previous education in the health care field

Key Findings:

• Of the 21 respondents who had previous education in the health care field, six said Lab tech/EMT.

• 14.3% (3 respondents) said health/home care, and another 14.3% said LPN. • 42.9% (9 respondents) cited other education in the heath care field. Entries under "Other":

(1) BA in Psychology (1) Nurse out of country

(1) Completed 1.5 yrs in a nursing program in Vancouver (1) Paramedic

(1) Dental assistant (1) Physiotherapy Assistant

(1) Diploma nursing (1) Took one year of diploma nursing in 1993

(1) Lifeguard and Ski Patroller (1) Unit secretary


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4. What was your highest educational achievement prior to starting the program?

Key Findings:

• 37.2% of respondents had high school as their highest education prior to starting the program. • Another 35.0% had some university. • 18.2% had a SIAST diploma and 8.8%% had a Baccalaureate.

5. Please specify the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificates (including field of study) you held prior to starting the program:

(3) EMT (1) Business Administration

(2) BA Psychology (1) Business of Administration Certificate

(2) Business Administration Diploma (1) Chemical Dependency Certificate

(2) LPN (1) Diploma in Biblical Studies

(1) 3 year diploma in Nursing (1) EMT- basic

(1) Accounting diploma (1) Executive secretary

(1) Advanced Certificate in Christian Studies (1) journeyman certificate - auto body

(1) Animal Health Technology (1) Journeyman in Cosmetology

(1) Anthropology (1) Licensed Practical Nursing

(1) audiovisual communications diploma (1) Medical office assistant.

(1) B. Honours (1) Nursing Diploma

(1) B.A. Sociology (1) Paramedic Certificate

(1) B.Sc Physical Geography (1) Physiotherapy Assistant 1 year

(1) Bachelor in Microbiology (1) Rehabilitation Worker Certificate

(1) Bachelor of Arts, Psychology major (1) Diploma in Broadcasting

(1) Bachelor of Chinese Literature (1) EMT - advanced

(1) BHJ (1) Basic trauma life support

(1) BSc Geography/Environmental studies Honours


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6. What was your major activity in the year before starting NEPS?

Key Findings:

• Just over half of all respondents were going to school the year before starting NEPS. This number decreased steadily from past years. This result may be a reflection of the changes in selection criteria.

• Another 43.8% were working, and 5.1% were taking care of household responsibilities.

7. Was this work in the health care field?

Key Findings:

• Of those who were working in the year before entering the program, 23.3% were in the health care field.


18


8. What year and month did you start your NEPS program:

"Month started program" by "Year started program"

Totals September January

1996 4 (2.9%) 4 (100.0%) 0 (0.0%)

1997 5 (3.6%) 5 (100.0%) 0 (0.0%)

1998 11 (8.0%) 11 (100.0%) 0 (0.0%)

1999 78 (56.9%) 77 (98.7%) 1 (1.3%)

2000 39 (28.5%) 39 (100.0%) 0 (0.0%)

2001 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%)

Totals 137 (100%) 136 (99.3%) 1 (0.7%)

Key Findings:

• The majority of respondents (56.9%) started the program in 1999. • Another 28.5% started in 2000. • 14.5% started before 1999. • One respondent started in January of 1999, all of the other respondents started in September of their first year.


19

9. What was your age when you entered the NEPS program?

Total # % of Responses Cumulative %

20 or younger 69 50.4 50.4

21-25 47 34.3 84.7

26-30 12 8.8 93.4

Over 30 9 6.6 100.0

Total 137 100

Key Findings:

• Just over half of all respondents were 20 or younger when they entered the NEPS program. • Another 34.3% were 21 to 25, and 15.4% were over 25. • The average age at the start of the program was 21.8.


20

10. What was the program site at entry to the NEPS program?

2003 2004 2005

Label Total # % of Responses Total # % of Responses Total # % of Responses

Regina 17 16.3 55 38.2 62 45.3

Saskatoon 87 83.7 89 61.8 75 54.7

Total 104 100 144 100 137 100

Key Findings:

• 54.7% of respondents entered the NEPS program in Saskatoon. • The number of respondents who entered the program in Regina has increased from 16.3% of 2003 respondents to 38.2% of 2004 respondents to 45.3% of 2005 respondents. The difference between numbers of respondents from each city over the years is a reflection of response rates as well as quotas.


21

11. Please indicate if you experienced any of the following significant life changes during the NEPS program?

Total # % of Responses Description

Marital Status 25 18.2 Change in marital status

Birth of child 11 8.0 Birth of child

Death 64 46.7 Illness or death of family member or friend

Personal illness 28 20.4 Personal illness

Uncertainty 57 41.6 Uncertainty of Nursing as your profession

Home reloc 68 49.6 Home relocation

Care giving 24 17.5 Care giving for dependent children or dependent adults

Other 2 1.5 Other, (please specify)

None 22 16.1 None

Total 137 100

"Significant life changes during program" by "Program site at NEPS entry"

Totals Marital Status

Birth of

child Death

Personal illness

Uncertainty Home

relocation Care

giving Other None

Regina 62

(45.3%) 10

(16.1%) 6

(9.7%) 28

(45.2%) 9

(14.5%) 22 (35.5%)

27 (43.5%)

9 (14.5%)

2 (3.2%)

10 (16.1%)

Saskatoon 75

(54.7%) 15

(20.0%) 5

(6.7%) 36

(48.0%) 19

(25.3%) 35 (46.7%)

41 (54.7%)

15 (20.0%)

0 (0.0%)

12 (16.0%)

Totals 137

(100%) 25

(18.2%) 11

(8.0%) 64

(46.7%) 28

(20.4%) 57 (41.6%)

68 (49.6%)

24 (17.5%)

2 (1.5%)

22 (16.1%)

Note: "Refused / don't know" responses are included in the "Totals" column. "Significant life changes during program" by "Gender"

Totals Marital Status

Birth of

child Death

Personal illness

Uncertainty Home reloc

Care giving

Other None

Male 13

(9.4%) 3

(23.1%) 2

(15.4%) 6

(46.2%) 5

(38.5%) 7 (53.8%)

8 (61.5%)

5 (38.5%)

2 (15.4%)

3 (23.1%)

Female 125

(90.6%) 22

(17.6%) 9

(7.2%) 58

(46.4%) 23

(18.4%) 50 (40.0%)

60 (48.0%)

19 (15.2%)

0 (0.0%)

20 (16.0%)

Totals 138

(100%) 25

(18.1%) 11

(8.0%) 64

(46.4%) 28

(20.3%) 57 (41.3%)

68 (49.3%)

24 (17.4%)

2 (1.4%)

23 (16.7%)

Note: "Refused / don't know" responses are included in the "Totals" column.


22

Key Findings:

• Nearly half of all respondents experienced a home relocation during the NEPS program. 54.7% of those who started their program in Saskatoon moved during the program, compared to 43.5% of those who entered the program in Regina.

• 46.7% of all respondents experienced the death or illness of a family member or friend. • 41.6% of all respondents experienced uncertainty about Nursing as a career while they were in the program. This is a major increase from the previous year, in which 29% experienced uncertainty. Respondents who entered the program in Saskatoon were significantly more likely to experience this uncertainty (46.7%, compared to 35.5% of Regina respondents). Also, 53.8% of males experienced uncertainty, compared to 40% of females. Entries under "Other": (1) Marital stress, extreme financial burden (1) Sexual discrimination by profs and curriculum


23

12. Did you work as a Senior Assist during your NEPS program?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Yes 57 54.8 86 59.7 90 65.7 Yes

No 47 45.2 58 40.3 47 34.3 No

Total 104 100 144 100 137 100

Key Findings:

• 65.7% of respondents worked as a Senior Assist during their NEPS program. This has increased slightly from previous years.

36 26 62

58.1% 41.9% 100.0%

54 21 75

72.0% 28.0% 100.0%

90 47 137

65.7% 34.3% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regina

Saskatoon

What was theprogram site at entryto the NEPS program

Total

Yes No

Did you work as aSenior Assist duringyour NEPS program

Total

30 21 51

58.8% 41.2% 100.0%

60 26 86

69.8% 30.2% 100.0%

90 47 137

65.7% 34.3% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regina

Saskatoon

What was your programsite at graduation fromthe NEPS program

Total

Yes No

Did you work as aSenior Assist duringyour NEPS program

Total

• The above cross-tabs show that 72.0% of those who entered the program in Saskatoon

(69.8% of those who finished in Saskatoon) worked as a Senior Assist, compared to just over 58% of those from the Regina program.


24

13. Did you have a job while in the NEPS program?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Yes 78 75.0 100 69.4 94 68.6 Yes

No 26 25.0 44 30.6 43 31.4 No

Total 104 100 144 100 137 100

Key Findings:

• 68.6% of respondents had a job while in the NEPS program. This number has not changed significantly over the years.

44 18 62

71.0% 29.0% 100.0%

50 25 75

66.7% 33.3% 100.0%

94 43 137

68.6% 31.4% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regina

Saskatoon

What was the

program site at entry

to the NEPS program

Total

Yes No

Did you have a job

while in the NEPS

program

Total

• While Saskatoon respondents were more likely to work as a Senior Assist, they were less

likely to have a job otherwise while in the program than Regina respondents.


25

14. On average, how many hours a week did you work at your job?


1-10 hours 22 23.7 23.7

11-20 hours 49 52.7 76.3

21-30 hours 17 18.3 94.6

31-40 hours 5 5.4 100.0

Over 40 hours 0 0.0 100.0

Total 93 100

Key Findings:

• More than half of those who had a job while in the NEPS program worked 11 to 20 hours per week.

• Another 23.7% worked between one and ten hours per week and 23.7% worked more than 20 hours per week.

• On average, respondents who worked did so 16.3 hours per week. The average was 17.2 hours for 2002 graduates and 16.6 hours for 2001 graduates. Note that the graph appears to show that hours worked has increased, this is because the hours are reported in ranges. When the actual number of hours is used for each respondents to calculate the average, we see that it has not changed significantly.


26

15. Did you receive any scholarships or bursaries during the program?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Yes 47 45.2 68 47.2 86 62.8 Yes

No 57 54.8 76 52.8 51 37.2 No

Total 104 100 144 100 137 100

Key Findings:

• 62.8% of respondents received scholarships or bursaries during the program. This number has increased significantly from previous years.

17 4 21

81.0% 19.0% 100.0%

69 47 116

59.5% 40.5% 100.0%

86 51 137

62.8% 37.2% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Yes

No

Did you have any previouseducation in the healthcare field prior to startingthe NEPS program

Total

Yes No

Did you receive anyscholarships or

bursaries during theprogram

Total

• 81% of those who had previous education in the health care field received scholarships

or bursaries, compared to 59.5% of those who did not.


27

16. What was the total dollar value of scholarships or bursaries you received during the NEPS program?


$1000 & under 13 16.0 16.0

$1001-$2000 18 22.2 38.3

$2001-$5000 28 34.6 72.8

$5001-$10000 16 19.8 92.6

Over $10000 6 7.4 100.0

Total 81 100

Key Findings:

• 34.6% of respondents who received scholarships or bursaries got between $2000 and $5000. • Another 22.2% received between $1000 and $2000. • 19.8% received between $5000 and $10000. • 16.0% received $1000 or less, and 7.4% received over $10000. • The average value of scholarships or bursaries is $3,936.


28

17. Did you obtain any student or educational loans during the program?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Yes 77 74.0 98 68.1 105 76.6 Yes

No 27 26.0 46 31.9 32 23.4 No

Total 104 100 144 100 137 100

Key Findings:

• 76.6% of respondents received student or educational loans during the program. This number has increased from 68.1% of 2004 respondents.


29

18. What was the total dollar value of your student or educational loans at completion of the NEPS program?


$5000 & under 5 4.9 4.9

$5001-$10000 9 8.8 13.7

$10001-$15000 15 14.7 28.4

$15001-$20000 13 12.7 41.2

$20001-$25000 11 10.8 52.0

$25001-$30000 13 12.7 64.7

$30001-$35000 8 7.8 72.5

$35001-$40000 17 16.7 89.2

Over $40000 11 10.8 100.0

Total 102 100

Key Findings:

• 13.7% of respondents who received loans owed less than $10,000 at completion of the program. • 27.4% owed between $10000 and $20000. • 23.5% owed between $20000 and $30000.

• 24.5% owed between $30000 and $40000. • 10.8% owed more than $40000. • The average total dollar value is $25,100. • The mean total dollar value of student or educational loans at the completion of the NEPS

program had increased from $21,137 in the 2002 survey and $22,596 in the 2003 survey to $24,708 in 2004, but did not show a major increase from the 2004 to the 2005 survey.


30

19. What date did you complete your NEPS program?

2 2 0 1 5

40.0% 40.0% .0% 20.0% 100.0%

2 24 4 0 30

6.7% 80.0% 13.3% .0% 100.0%

38 7 50 7 102

37.3% 6.9% 49.0% 6.9% 100.0%

42 33 54 8 137

30.7% 24.1% 39.4% 5.8% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

2001

2002

2003

What date did youcomplete yourNEPS program

Total

October December April Other

What date did you complete your NEPS program

Total

Key Findings:

• 74.5% of all respondents completed their NEPS program in 2003. Of those, 49% finished in April, 37.3% in October, 6.9% in December, and 6.9% said other months.

• 21.9% of all respondents completed their NEPS program in 2002. Of those, 80% finished in December, 13.3% in April, and 6.7% in October.

• 3.6% of all respondents (5 people) completed their NEPS program in 2001. These respondents reflect a discrepancy between completion of the program and convocation. Entries under ‘other’: (3) September (2) June (1) February (1) January (1) May


31

20. What was your program site at graduation from the NEPS program?

2003 2004 2005


Regina 16 15.4 46 31.9 51 37.2

Saskatoon 88 84.6 98 68.1 86 62.8

Total 104 100 144 100 137 100

Key Findings:

• 61.8% of respondents graduated from NEPS in Saskatoon. This percentage has decreased from 84.6% of 2003 respondents. This change is a reflection of an increase in response rate for Regina graduates.

• 38.2% graduated from Regina.

50 12 62

80.6% 19.4% 100.0%

1 74 75

1.3% 98.7% 100.0%

51 86 137

37.2% 62.8% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regina

Saskatoon

What was theprogram site atentry to the NEPSprogram

Total

Regina Saskatoon

What was your programsite at graduation from

the NEPS program

Total

• Twelve respondents started their program in Regina and graduated from Saskatoon, and

one started in Saskatoon and graduated from Regina.


32

Experiences in the First Year After Graduation

21. At any time during the first year after graduation, were you:

2003 2004 2005

Label Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Description

Nurse 104 100.0 143 99.3 136 99.3 Employed as a nurse

Other than nurse

2 1.9 3 2.1 3 2.2 Employed in a field other than nursing

Not employed 2 1.9 2 1.4 1 0.7 Not employed

Total 104 100 144 100 137 100

Key Findings:

• All but one respondent were employed as a nurse during the first year after graduation. • Of those who said that they were employed in an area other than nursing at some point during

their first year after graduation, one worked as a welder and one worked in publishing.


33

22. What was the geographical location of your first job as a graduate nurse?

2003 2004 2005

Label Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Description

SK 84 80.8 127 88.8 124 91.2 Saskatchewan

MB or East Can.

1 1.0 1 0.7 2 1.5 Manitoba or Eastern Canada

AB or BC 19 18.3 14 9.8 7 5.1 Alberta or BC

USA 0 0.0 1 0.7 2 1.5 USA

Other 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.7 Other, (please specify)

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 91.2% of respondents had their first job as a graduate nurse in Saskatchewan. • 5.1% worked in Alberta or BC for their first job and only 3.7% worked elsewhere. Entries under "Other": (1) Yukon


34

23. Please specify whether the location of your first job as a graduate nurse was:

2003 2004 2005


Description

Rural 7 6.7 13 9.1 13 9.6 Rural

Urban 95 91.3 130 90.9 121 89.0 Urban

Both 2 1.9 0 0.0 2 1.5 Both

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 89% of respondents had their first job as a graduate nurse in an urban location.

• 9.6% worked in a rural setting, and 1.5% said both urban and rural.

0 22 1 23

.0% 95.7% 4.3% 100.0%

0 17 0 17

.0% 100.0% .0% 100.0%

5 43 0 48

10.4% 89.6% .0% 100.0%

6 25 0 31

19.4% 80.6% .0% 100.0%

2 8 1 11

18.2% 72.7% 9.1% 100.0%

0 6 0 6

.0% 100.0% .0% 100.0%

13 121 2 136

9.6% 89.0% 1.5% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regina

Saskatoon

Town in Saskatchewan

Rural Saskatchewan

Outside Saskatchewan,

Other city inSaskatchewan

Wheredid yougrowup

Total

Rural Urban Both

Please specify whether the locationof your first job as a graduate nurse

was

Total

• No one who grew up in a city in Saskatchewan worked in a rural location for their first job.


35

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:

Ranked as first influential factor:


Family or community commitments 60 44.8 44.8

Geographic Location 18 13.4 58.2

Position I wanted 12 9.0 67.2

Clinical/client group I wanted 12 9.0 76.1

Familiarity with Hospital where Completed Practicum 11 8.2 84.3

Signing bonus 8 6.0 90.3

Hours I wanted 5 3.7 94.0

Career planning 2 1.5 95.5

Other 2 1.5 97.0

Reputation of the Institution as a quality workplace 1 0.7 97.8

Shift I wanted 1 0.7 98.5

Mentorship opportunities 1 0.7 99.3

Student loan assistance 1 0.7 100.0

Orientation 0 0.0 100.0

Housing 0 0.0 100.0

Salary 0 0.0 100.0

Travel 0 0.0 100.0

Grad school assistance 0 0.0 100.0

College friends 0 0.0 100.0

Total 134 100

Key Findings:

• The most commonly cited first influential factor is family or community commitments, with 44.8% of responses. • Geographical location was the next most common first factor, with 13.4% of responses. • "Clinical/client group I wanted" and "position I wanted" each received 9% of responses.


36

Ranked as second influential factor:

Key Findings:

• Geographic location was the most common second influential factor, with 20.2% of responses. • "Position I wanted" and "total hours I wanted" each received 11.6% of responses.

Ranked as third influential factor:

Key Findings:

• Familiarity with the hospital where practicum was completed is the most common third influential factor, with 20% of responses.

• This is followed by geographical location (12%), signing bonus (12%), and position (10.4%). Entries under ‘other’: (1) Bursary (1) Financial security - permanent full time position (1) I was a senior assistant there (1) My boyfriend was in the location of the job. (1) Availability of positions (1) To gain experience


37

Top 3 factors (combined):

61.8%

43.4%

32.4%29.4%

24.3%23.5%21.3%

9.6%8.1%

5.1% 5.1% 4.4% 3.7% 3.7% 2.9% 2.9% 2.2% 0.7% 0.7%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Fam/C

omm

Geo

Loc'n

Famili

ar H

osp

Positio

n

Signin

g bon

us

Clin

ical

Hour

s

Salary

Car

eer p

lan

Rep

utat

ion

Shift

Oth

er

Col

l. frie

nds

Trave

l

Orie

ntatio

n

Studen

t loan

Men

tors

hip

Gra

d sch

Hous

ing

Total # % of

Respondents Factor

84 61.8% Family or Community Commitments

59 43.4% Geographic Location

44 32.4% Familiarity with Hospital where Completed Practicum

40 29.4% Position I wanted

33 24.3% Signing bonus

32 23.5% Clinical/client group I wanted

29 21.3% Total hours I wanted

13 9.6% Salary

11 8.1% Career planning

7 5.1% Reputation of the Institution as a quality workplace

7 5.1% Shift I wanted

6 4.4% Other, (please specify)

5 3.7% College friends

5 3.7% Desire to travel

4 2.9% Orientation program

4 2.9% Student Loan Assistance

3 2.2% Mentorship opportunities

1 0.7% Graduate school assistance

1 0.7% Housing provided

• 61.8% of all respondents said that family or community commitments was one of the top three factors in their choice of work location.

• The second most common response was geographic location, with 43.4% of respondents.

• Other common responses were: Position I wanted (29.4%), signing bonus (24.3%), clinical/client group I wanted (23.5%), and total hours I wanted (21.3%).


38

25. How did your experience in finding your first job following graduation compare with your expectations?

Key Findings:

• Nearly half of respondents said that finding their first job was less difficult than they expected. • Another 36.0% said that it was the same as expected, and 14.7% said it was more difficult than expected.

5 21 51 77

6.5% 27.3% 66.2% 100.0%

9 22 15 46

19.6% 47.8% 32.6% 100.0%

4 6 1 11

36.4% 54.5% 9.1% 100.0%

2 0 0 2

100.0% .0% .0% 100.0%

20 49 67 136

14.7% 36.0% 49.3% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Invited to a job beforeI started looking

Less than 1 month

1 to 2 months

3 to 5 months

How long did it take youto obtain your first jobafter you started actively

seeking employmentfollowing graduation

Total

More difficult

than expected

About thesame as

expected

Less difficult

than expected

How did your experience in finding your firstjob following graduation compare with your

expectations

Total

• As would be expected, the longer one took to find their first job, the difficult they thought it

was compared to their expectations.


39

26. How long did it take you to obtain your first job after you started actively seeking employment following graduation?

2003 2004 2005

Label Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Description

Invited before

61 58.7 94 65.7 77 56.6 Invited to a job before I started looking

< 1month 39 37.5 44 30.8 46 33.8 Less than 1 month

1 to 2 months

2 1.9 3 2.1 11 8.1 1 to 2 months

3 to 5 months

1 1.0 2 1.4 2 1.5 3 to 5 months

> 6 months 1 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 More than 6 months

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 56.6% of respondents were invited to a job before they started actively seeking employment. Although still quite high, this number has dropped from 65.7% of 2004 respondents.

• Another 33.8% obtained their first job within the first month after starting to look. • 8.1% took one to two months, two people took 3 to 5 months, and no one took 6 months or more. * Note: These results are a reflection of the 2002-2003 work environment.


40

27. Did you get a job offer from a unit where you were employed as a Senior Assist?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Yes 42 73.7 56 65.9 51 57.3 Yes

No 15 26.3 29 34.1 38 42.7 No

Total 57 100 85 100 89 100

Key Findings:

• 57.3% of those who worked as a Senior Assist were offered a job from the unit where they were employed as a Senior Assist. This number has dropped steadily over the past three years.

20 10 30

66.7% 33.3% 100.0%

31 28 59

52.5% 47.5% 100.0%

51 38 89

57.3% 42.7% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regina

Saskatoon

What was yourprogram site atgraduation from theNEPS program

Total

Yes No

Did you get a job offerfrom a unit where you

were employed as aSenior Assist

Total

• While less people worked as Senior Assists in Regina, those who did were more likely

than those from Saskatoon to get a job offer from the unit where they were a Senior Assist.


41

28. Did you get a job offer from a unit where you did your 4th year senior practicum?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Yes 70 67.3 93 65.0 77 56.6 Yes

No 34 32.7 50 35.0 59 43.4 No

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 56.6% of respondents got a job offer from a unit where they did their fourth year practicum. This number has also decreased steadily over the past three years.

34 17 51

66.7% 33.3% 100.0%

43 42 85

50.6% 49.4% 100.0%

77 59 136

56.6% 43.4% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regina

Saskatoon

What was your programsite at graduation fromthe NEPS program

Total

Yes No

Did you get a job offerfrom a unit where you

did your 4th year seniorpracticum

Total

• Those who graduated from Regina were more likely to receive a job offer from a unit

where they did their fourth year practicum than those who graduated from Saskatoon.


42

29. What were the work hours of your first job as a graduate nurse?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Reg FT 67 64.4 105 73.4 99 72.8 Regular full-time

Casual FT 21 20.2 18 12.6 21 15.4 Casual full-time

Reg PT 12 11.5 11 7.7 7 5.1 Regular part-time

Casual PT 4 3.8 9 6.3 9 6.6 Casual part-time

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 72.8% of respondents worked regular full-time hours in their first job as a graduate nurse. • Another 15.4% worked casual full-time. • 6.6% worked casual part-time, and 5.1% worked regular part-time. 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.)


43

30. Was being employed on a {Hours} basis your preference?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Yes 77 74.0 113 79.0 111 81.6 Yes

No 27 26.0 30 21.0 25 18.4 No

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

"Hours worked at first job their preference" by "Work hours of first job as graduate nurse"

Totals Yes No

Totals 136 (100%) 111 (81.6%) 25 (18.4%)

Regular full-time 99 (72.8%) 98 (99.0%) 1 (1.0%)

Casual full-time 21 (15.4%) 7 (33.3%) 14 (66.7%)

Regular part-time 7 (5.1%) 3 (42.9%) 4 (57.1%)

Casual part-time 9 (6.6%) 3 (33.3%) 6 (66.7%)

Key Findings:

• 81.6% of all respondents' hours were on their preferred basis. • All but one of those who worked regular full-time said that this was their preference. • 42.9% of those who worked regular part-time said that this was their preference. • Only one third of those who worked casual full-time or casual part-time said that this was their preference.


44

31. To what extent did your first job meet your ideal preferences, where '1' is not at all to '5' being highly ideal?

a. Location

2003 2004 2005


Description

1 3 2.9 9 6.3 7 5.1 1

2 6 5.8 4 2.8 2 1.5 2

3 13 12.5 25 17.5 10 7.4 3

4 36 34.6 20 14.0 35 25.7 4

5 46 44.2 85 59.4 82 60.3 5

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 86% of respondents gave a rating of 4 or 5 on a scale of 1-5 with regards to the location of their first job meeting their ideal preference. This is higher than in previous years.


45

b. Client Group

2003 2004 2005


Description

1 2 1.9 4 2.8 4 2.9 1

2 3 2.9 8 5.6 11 8.1 2

3 27 26.0 33 23.1 28 20.6 3

4 38 36.5 40 28.0 32 23.5 4

5 34 32.7 58 40.6 61 44.9 5

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 68.4% of respondents gave a rating of 4 or 5 with regards to the client group of their first job meeting their ideal preference. The number of respondents who gave a rating of 5 has increased, and the number who gave a rating of 4 has decreased.


46

c. Responsibilities

2003 2004 2005


Description

1 5 4.8 2 1.4 6 4.4 1

2 4 3.8 11 7.7 8 5.9 2

3 20 19.2 18 12.6 25 18.4 3

4 48 46.2 57 39.9 52 38.2 4

5 27 26.0 55 38.5 45 33.1 5

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 71.3% of respondents gave a rating of 4 or 5 with regards to the responsibilities of their first job meeting their ideal preference. This is slightly lower than previous years.


47

d. Shifts

2003 2004 2005


Description

1 7 6.7 5 3.5 8 5.9 1

2 8 7.7 10 7.0 21 15.4 2

3 24 23.1 37 25.9 31 22.8 3

4 40 38.5 40 28.0 36 26.5 4

5 25 24.0 51 35.7 40 29.4 5

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 55.9% of respondents gave a rating of 4 or 5 with regards to the shifts of their first job meeting their ideal preference. This is slightly lower than previous years.


48

e. Work Environment

2003 2004 2005


Description

1 6 5.8 10 7.0 12 8.8 1

2 9 8.7 13 9.1 15 11.0 2

3 26 25.0 31 21.7 30 22.1 3

4 34 32.7 48 33.6 36 26.5 4

5 29 27.9 41 28.7 43 31.6 5

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 58.1% of respondents gave a rating of 4 or 5 with regards to the work environment of their first job meeting their ideal preference.


49

Average Importance Ratings

4.1

4.0

3.8

3.7 3.7

4.2

4.0

4.1

3.9

3.7

4.3

4.0

3.9

3.6 3.6

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.8

4.0

4.2

4.4

a. b. c. d. e.

Avera

ge R

ati

ng

2003

2004

2005

Label 2003 2004 2005 Factor

a. 4.1 4.2 4.3 Location

b. 4.0 4.0 4.0 Client Group

c. 3.8 4.1 3.9 Responsibilities

d. 3.7 3.9 3.6 Shifts

e. 3.7 3.7 3.6 Work Environment

• Respondents were most satisfied with the location of their first job and were least satisfied with the shifts and the work environment.

• Average satisfaction with shifts dropped from 3.9 for 2004 respondents to 3.6 for 2005 respondents.


50

32. When you started your first nursing job, what was the length of your orientation (including "buddy" shifts)?

2003 2004 2005

Label Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Description

< 1 day 1 1.0 1 0.7 1 0.7 < 1 day

1 day 0 0.0 1 0.7 1 0.7 1 day

2 - 5 days 24 23.1 48 33.6 48 35.3 2 - 5 days

6 - 30 days 77 74.0 92 64.3 84 61.8 6 - 30 days

Did not receive

2 1.9 1 0.7 2 1.5 Did not receive an orientation

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 61.8% of respondents had an orientation of 6 to 30 days. • Another 35.3% had an orientation of 2 to 5 days. • Orientation length has decreased slightly over the past three years. This could be a reflection of 4

th year practicums.


51

33. How did you feel about the length of your orientation for your first position?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Too long 2 1.9 2 1.4 0 0.0 Too long

About right 79 76.0 108 75.5 94 69.1 About right

Too short 23 22.1 33 23.1 42 30.9 Too short

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

"Felt about length of orientation at first job" by "Length of orientation at first job"

Totals Too long About right Too short

Totals 136 (100%) 0 (0.0%) 94 (69.1%) 42 (30.9%)

< 1 day 1 (0.7%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (100.0%) 0 (0.0%)

1 day 1 (0.7%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (100.0%)

2 - 5 days 48 (35.3%) 0 (0.0%) 20 (41.7%) 28 (58.3%)

6 - 30 days 84 (61.8%) 0 (0.0%) 71 (84.5%) 13 (15.5%)

Did not receive an orientation 2 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (100.0%) 0 (0.0%)

Key Findings:

• Interestingly, the three respondents who had less than a day or no orientation thought that it was about right.

• 84.5% of those who had an orientation of 6 to 30 days thought that the length was about right. • 41.7% of those who had an orientation of 2 to 5 days thought it was about right, and 58.3% thought it was too short.


52

34. How well did your orientation program prepare you for your first position?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Very poorly 2 1.9 3 2.1 6 4.4 Very poorly

Not very well 10 9.6 6 4.2 12 8.8 Not very well

Satisfactorily 31 29.8 51 35.7 49 36.0 Satisfactorily

Quite well 43 41.3 58 40.6 51 37.5 Quite well

Very well 18 17.3 25 17.5 18 13.2 Very well

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 37.5% of respondents think that their orientation prepared them quite well for their first position. • Another 36% think that it was satisfactory, and 13.2% think it prepared them very well. • 13.2% said not very well or very poorly.

6 11 44 45 18 124

4.8% 8.9% 35.5% 36.3% 14.5% 100.0%

0 1 5 6 0 12

.0% 8.3% 41.7% 50.0% .0% 100.0%

6 12 49 51 18 136

4.4% 8.8% 36.0% 37.5% 13.2% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Saskatchewan

Other

Location

Total

Very poorly Not very well Satisfactorily Quite well Very well

How well did your orientation program prepare you for your firstposition

Total

• The above cross-tab shows the breakdown of satisfaction with orientation for those who

worked in Saskatchewan as compared to those who worked elsewhere. • All six of those who thought said ‘very poorly’ worked in Saskatchewan. Also, all 18 of

those who said ‘very well’ worked in Saskatchewan. Since there are so few respondents who worked elsewhere, we cannot say that this difference is significant.


53

35. What was lacking from your orientation?

2003 2004 2005

Label Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Description

Too short 8 66.7 5 55.6 9 50.0 Too short

Lack of mentor

8 66.7 3 33.3 11 61.1 Lack of mentor/coach

Content insuff

2 16.7 2 22.2 6 33.3 Content insufficient: (please specify)


Total 12 100 9 100 18 100

Key Findings:

• Of those who said their orientation prepared them not well or very poorly, 61.1% said that there was a lack of a mentor, half said that it was too short, and one third said that the content was insufficient. Entries under "Content": (1) I was given minimal information on the unit (1) Lots of information was not available (1) Not enough clinical experience (1) Oncology not taught enough in Univ. (1) Support of staff (1) Too few skills taught at school to build on. Entries under "Other": (1) Extraneous information (1) more buddy shifts needed. (1) NEPS teaches in a dream world, we learned on the job


54

36. How many sites did you work at for your first job as a graduate nurse?

2003 2004 2005


Description

1 site 88 84.6 127 88.8 117 86.0 1 site

2 sites 12 11.5 13 9.1 11 8.1 2 sites

3 or more 4 3.8 3 2.1 8 5.9 3 or more

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 86% of respondents worked at one site for their first job as a graduate nurse.

• 8.1% worked at two sites, and another 5.9% worked at more than two 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


55

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)

Primary Site:

Value Labels: top value is number of responses, bottom value is percentage of responses

2004 2005 Label

Total # % of Responses Total # % of Responses Description

< 100 beds 16 11.2 35 25.7 General hospital, less than 100 beds

> 100 beds 119 83.2 96 70.6 General hospital, 100 beds and over

Mental health 1 0.7 0 0.0 Mental Health Centre

Commun. health 1 0.7 2 1.5 Community Health/Health Centre

Nursing Stations 1 0.7 0 0.0 Nursing Stations (Outpost or clinics)

Long Term Care 3 2.1 1 0.7 Nursing Home/Long Term Care Facility

Assoc/Government 1 0.7 0 0.0 Association/Government

Other 1 0.7 2 1.5 Other, (please specify)

Total 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 71% of respondents worked in a general hospital with more than 100 beds in their primary site. This has dropped from 83% in the previous year.

• 26% of respondents worked in a general hospital with less than 100 beds in their primary site. This has increased from 11% in the previous year. Other: (1) Acc Care (1) Psychiatric mental hospital


56

Secondary Site:

Key Findings:

• Of the 15 respondents who worked in two or more sites, 7 worked in acute care with more than 100 beds in their secondary site.

Third Site:

Key Findings:

• Of the seven people who worked in more than two sites, 3 worked in acute care with less than 100 beds in their third site.


57

38. What was your position?

Primary Site:

2004 2005

Label Total # % of Responses Total # % of Responses

Description

Staff Nurse 142 99.3 134 98.5 Staff Nurse/Community Health Nurse

CNO/CEO 0 0.0 0 0.0 Chief Nursing Officer/Chief Executive Officer

Direct/Assis Dir 0 0.0 0 0.0 Director/Assistant Director

Mgr/Assist Mgr 0 0.0 0 0.0 Manager/Assistant Manager

Clinical Special 0 0.0 1 0.7 Clinical Nurse Specialist

Educator 0 0.0 0 0.0 Instructor/Professor/Educator

Researcher 0 0.0 0 0.0 Researcher

Consultant 0 0.0 0 0.0 Consultant

Nurse Pract. 0 0.0 0 0.0 Nursing Practitioner


Total 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 99% of respondents were staff nurses in their primary site. Other: (1) Registered Nurse


58

Secondary Site:

Key Findings:

• 100% of respondents were staff nurses in their secondary site.

Third Site:

Key Findings:

• 100% of respondents were staff nurses in their third site.


59

39. What was your main area of responsibility?

Primary Site:

2003 2004 2005


Direct Care 103 99.0 142 99.3 136 100.0

Administration 0 0.0 1 0.7 0 0.0

Education 1 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

Research 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 100% of respondents were in direct care in their primary site.

Secondary Site:

Key Findings:

• 13 out of 15 respondents were in direct care in their secondary site.

• Two were in education.


60

Third Site:

Key Findings:

• All respondents who worked in a third site were in direct care.


61

40. In what area did you provide:

Direct Care First Site


Med/Surg 89 65.4 Medical/Surgical


Pediatric 21 15.4 Pediatric

Emergency care 18 13.2 Emergency care

Geriatric 15 11.0 Geriatric/Long term care

Maternal 10 7.4 Maternal/Newborn

Mental Health 9 6.6 Psychiatric/Mental Health

Oncology 8 5.9 Oncology

Critical Care 6 4.4 Critical Care

Ambulatory Care 5 3.7 Ambulatory Care

Several clinics 5 3.7 Several clinical areas

Oper. Room/RR 4 2.9 Operating Room/RR

Rehabilitation 3 2.2 Rehabilitation

Comm Health 2 1.5 Community Health

Home care 1 0.7 Home care

Occup. Health 0 0.0 Occupational Health

Total 136 100

Key Findings:

• 65.4% of respondents provided direct care in the medical/surgical area. • 15.4% were in pediatrics and 13.2% were in emergency care. Other:

(1) Adolescent-Med/Surg & Psych (1) Orthopedics

(1) Chemotherapy (1) Orthopedics and Plastics

(1) Gynecology, urology, orthopedics, optomology (1) Orthopedics and Urology

(1) Multidisciplinary, Palliative Care (1) Respiratory

(1) Observation unit


62

Direct Care Second Site

Education Second Site

Direct Care Third Site


63

41. On average, how many hours per week did you work?

Primary Site: Minimum Maximum Average

hours/week 12 61 35.9

Secondary Site:


Third Site:

hours/week 0 12 6.3

• In total, respondents worked an average of 37.5 hours per week at their first job, ranging

from 12 to 74 hours per week.


64

Current Employment Situation

44. What is your current employment status?

2003 2004 2005

Label Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Description

Nurse 95 91.3 133 92.4 127 92.7 Employed as a nurse

Nurse - On leave

9 8.7 8 5.6 9 6.6 Employed as a nurse, but presently on leave

Other than nurse

0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 Employed in a field other than nursing

Not employed 0 0.0 3 2.1 1 0.7 Not employed

Total 104 100 144 100 137 100

Key Findings:

• 92.7% of respondents are currently employed as a nurse. • Another 6.6% are employed as a nurse, but are presently on leave. • One respondent is not currently employed. • The one individual who is not currently employed as a nurse cited health reasons. • This person does intend to seek employment in nursing in the future.


65

48. Has your primary employment changed since your first job?

2003 2004 2005

Label Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Description

Changed primary

38 36.5 49 34.8 28 20.6 Yes, I changed my primary job.

Diff position 13 12.5 20 14.2 28 20.6 Yes. I am working for the same primary employer, but in a different position.

Same position

53 51.0 72 51.1 80 58.8 No. I am working for the same primary employer in the same position.

Total 104 100 141 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 58.8% of respondents have not changed their primary employment since their first job. • Another 20.6% are working in a different position for the same employer. • 20.6% of respondents have changed their employment since their first job. This is significantly lower than in previous years' surveys.


66

49. Please indicate the MAIN reason you left your former primary employer?

2003 2004 2005

Label Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Description

Found perm. job

2 5.3 1 2.0 2 6.9 Found a permanent job

Better pay 7 18.4 8 16.3 1 3.4 New job pays better

Better job secur 0 0.0 3 6.1 2 6.9 New position with better job security

Dissatisfied 7 18.4 10 20.4 6 20.7 Dissatisfied with former job

Family respons. 5 13.2 6 12.2 1 3.4 Family responsibilities

Personal reasons

12 31.6 8 16.3 3 10.3 Personal reasons


Total 38 100 49 100 29 100

Key Findings:

• Six out of the 29 respondents who have changed jobs said that it was because they were dissatisfied with their former job.

• There is a wide variety of other reasons cited for changing jobs. Entries under "Other": (1) I am currently on leave from my primary employer (1) Bumped out (1) climate (1) First Unit 'amalgamated' - got bumped to dialysis (1) Full-time job (1) Left to get more education (1) Location (1) Opportunity (1) relocated for husband's job (1) School full time (1) Still have a job, just on leave working in the USA (1) Still work at the hospital on a casual basis


67

(1) To travel (1) Went to another area of interest

50. Where is the geographical location of your current job?

2003 2004 2005

Label Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Description

SK 73 70.2 113 79.0 113 83.1 Saskatchewan

MB or East Can.

1 1.0 2 1.4 3 2.2 Manitoba or Eastern Canada

AB or BC 19 18.3 19 13.3 11 8.1 Alberta or BC

USA 7 6.7 9 6.3 6 4.4 USA


Total 104 100 143 100 136 100

19 1 2 0 1 23

82.6% 4.3% 8.7% .0% 4.3% 100.0%

14 0 0 3 0 17

82.4% .0% .0% 17.6% .0% 100.0%

40 0 8 1 0 49

81.6% .0% 16.3% 2.0% .0% 100.0%

27 0 1 2 0 30

90.0% .0% 3.3% 6.7% .0% 100.0%

8 2 0 0 1 11

72.7% 18.2% .0% .0% 9.1% 100.0%

5 0 0 0 1 6

83.3% .0% .0% .0% 16.7% 100.0%

113 3 11 6 3 136

83.1% 2.2% 8.1% 4.4% 2.2% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regina

Saskatoon


Rural Saskatchewan

Outside Saskatchewan


Wheredid yougrowup

Total

SaskatchewanManitoba or

Eastern Canada Alberta or BC USA Other,

Where is the geographical location of your current job

Total

Key Findings:

• 83.1% of respondents are currently employed in Saskatchewan. This has increased over the past three years, while the number of those working in Alberta or BC has decreased. For interest, the cross-tabulation shows the breakdown of job location by where respondents grew up.


68

Entries under "Other": (2) Yukon (1) New Zealand

112 1 4 4 2 123

91.1% .8% 3.3% 3.3% 1.6% 100.0%

0 2 0 0 0 2

.0% 100.0% .0% .0% .0% 100.0%

0 0 7 0 0 7

.0% .0% 100.0% .0% .0% 100.0%

0 0 0 2 0 2

.0% .0% .0% 100.0% .0% 100.0%

0 0 0 0 1 1

.0% .0% .0% .0% 100.0% 100.0%

112 3 11 6 3 135

83.0% 2.2% 8.1% 4.4% 2.2% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Saskatchewan

Manitoba or Eastern Canada

Alberta or BC

USA

Other, (please specify)

What was the

geographicallocation of your

first job as agraduate nurse

Total

Sask

Manitoba

or EasternCanada

Alberta orBC USA Other

Where is the geographical location of your current job

Total

• The above cross-tab shows that, in total, eleven respondents (8.9%) who worked in

Saskatchewan for their first job have moved and currently work outside of Saskatchewan. • None of the respondents who worked outside of Saskatchewan for their first job have

changed locations.


69

51. Do you expect to return to Saskatchewan?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Yes 12 38.7 8 26.7 7 30.4 Yes

No 19 61.3 22 73.3 16 69.6 No

Total 31 100 30 100 23 100

"Expect to return to Saskatchewan" by "Location of current job"

Totals Yes No

Manitoba or Eastern Canada 3 (13.0%) 2 (66.7%) 1 (33.3%)

Alberta or BC 11 (47.8%) 1 (9.1%) 10 (90.9%)

USA 6 (26.1%) 3 (50.0%) 3 (50.0%)

Other, (please specify) 3 (13.0%) 1 (33.3%) 2 (66.7%)

Totals 23 (100%) 7 (30.4%) 16 (69.6%)

Key Findings:

• 30.4% of those who are not currently working in Saskatchewan expect to return. Those working in Alberta or BC are least likely to return.


70

52. Please specify whether the location of your current job is:

2003 2004 2005


Description

Rural 11 10.6 12 8.5 15 11.0 Rural

Urban 90 86.5 127 90.1 119 87.5 Urban

Both 3 2.9 2 1.4 2 1.5 Both

Total 104 100 141 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 87.5% of respondents work in an urban location. • 11% work in a rural location, and two people said both.

1 22 0 23

4.3% 95.7% .0% 100.0%

0 17 0 17

.0% 100.0% .0% 100.0%

6 43 0 49

12.2% 87.8% .0% 100.0%

6 23 1 30

20.0% 76.7% 3.3% 100.0%

2 8 1 11

18.2% 72.7% 9.1% 100.0%

0 6 0 6

.0% 100.0% .0% 100.0%

15 119 2 136

11.0% 87.5% 1.5% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regina

Saskatoon


Rural Saskatchewan

Outside Saskatchewan


Wheredid yougrowup

Total

Rural Urban Both

Please specify whether the locationof your current job is

Total

• Those who grew up in a city in Saskatchewan are least likely to work in a rural location.


71

13 0 0 13

100.0% .0% .0% 100.0%

2 117 1 120

1.7% 97.5% .8% 100.0%

0 1 1 2

.0% 50.0% 50.0% 100.0%

15 118 2 135

11.1% 87.4% 1.5% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Rural

Urban

Both

Please specifywhether the locationof your first job as agraduate nurse was

Total

Rural Urban Both

Please specify whether the locationof your current job is

Total

• There was not significant movement between urban and rural locations between

respondents’ first job and their current job. Two respondents changed from urban to rural, one changed from urban to both, and one changed from both to urban.


72

53. What are your current work hours?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Reg FT 74 71.2 111 78.7 106 77.9 Regular full-time

Casual FT 12 11.5 7 5.0 12 8.8 Casual full-time

Reg PT 11 10.6 16 11.3 10 7.4 Regular part-time

Casual PT 7 6.7 7 5.0 8 5.9 Casual part-time

Total 104 100 141 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 77.9% of respondents are currently working regular full-time hours. • Another 8.8% are working casual full-time. • 7.4% are working regular part-time, and 5.9% are working casual part-time. 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.)

88 1 6 3 98

89.8% 1.0% 6.1% 3.1% 100.0%

9 9 1 2 21

42.9% 42.9% 4.8% 9.5% 100.0%

2 1 2 2 7

28.6% 14.3% 28.6% 28.6% 100.0%

6 1 1 1 9

66.7% 11.1% 11.1% 11.1% 100.0%

105 12 10 8 135

77.8% 8.9% 7.4% 5.9% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regular full-time

Casual full-time

Regular part-time

Casual part-time

What were the workhours of your first

job as a graduatenurse

Total

Regularfull-time

Casualfull-time

Regularpart-time

Casualpart-time

What are your current work hours

Total

• The above cross-tab shows how work hours have changed from the first job to the

current job. Two thirds of those who worked casual part-time in their first job are now working regular full-time.


73

54. Is being employed on a {Hours} basis your preference?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Yes 84 80.8 123 87.2 119 87.5 Yes

No 20 19.2 18 12.8 17 12.5 No

Total 104 100 141 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 87.5% of respondents are working their preferred hours.

105 1 106

99.1% .9% 100.0%

5 7 12

41.7% 58.3% 100.0%

5 5 10

50.0% 50.0% 100.0%

4 4 8

50.0% 50.0% 100.0%

119 17 136

87.5% 12.5% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regular full-time

Casual full-time

Regular part-time

Casual part-time

What are

your currentwork hours

Total

Yes No

Was being employedon a {Hours} basis

your preference

Total

• Half of those who are currently working part time prefer their hours. Seven of the twelve

people who are working casual full-time are not working the hours they would like.


74

55. How many sites do you currently work at?

2003 2004 2005


Description

1 site 84 80.8 129 91.5 124 91.2 1 site

2 sites 14 13.5 9 6.4 8 5.9 2 sites

3 or more 6 5.8 3 2.1 4 2.9 3 or more

Total 104 100 141 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 91.2% of respondents currently work at one site. • 5.9% work at two sites, and 2.9% (four people) work at more than two 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

111 3 2 116

95.7% 2.6% 1.7% 100.0%

6 4 1 11

54.5% 36.4% 9.1% 100.0%

6 1 1 8

75.0% 12.5% 12.5% 100.0%

123 8 4 135

91.1% 5.9% 3.0% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

1 site

2 sites

3 or more

How many sites did you

work at for your first jobas a graduate nurse

Total

1 site 2 sites 3 or more

How many sites do you currentlywork at

Total

• Three quarters of those who worked at three or more sites in their first job now work at

one site. • More than half of those who worked at two sites in their first job now work at one site.


75

56. 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:

Value Labels: top value is number of responses, bottom value is percentage of responses

2004 2005 Label

Total # % of Responses Total # % of Responses Description

< 100 beds 12 8.5 41 30.1 General hospital, less than 100 beds

> 100 beds 113 80.1 86 63.2 General hospital, 100 beds and over

Mental health 2 1.4 0 0.0 Mental Health Centre

Commun. health 4 2.8 4 2.9 Community Health/Health Centre

Nursing Stations 2 1.4 0 0.0 Nursing Stations (Outpost or clinics)

Long Term Care 2 1.4 0 0.0 Nursing Home/Long Term Care Facility

Rehab/Convales 0 0.0 1 0.7 Rehabilitation/Convalescent Centre

Family Practice 0 0.0 0 0.0 Physician's Office/Family Practice Unit

Occup. Health 0 0.0 0 0.0 Business/Industry/Occupational Health

Private Nursing 0 0.0 0 0.0 Private Nursing Agency/Private Duty

Home Care 2 1.4 1 0.7 Home Care Agency

Educational Inst 0 0.0 0 0.0 Educational Institution

Assoc/Government 1 0.7 1 0.7 Association/Government

Self-employed 0 0.0 0 0.0 Self-employed


Total 141 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 63% of respondents currently work in a general hospital with more than 100 beds, compared to 80% of respondents from the previous year.

• Another 30% work in a general hospital with less than 100 beds, compared to 9% from the previous year. Other: (1) Acc Care (1) Community (1) Forensic nursing


76

Secondary Site:

Key Findings:

• Five out of the 12 respondents who work at more than one site work in a general hospital with more than 100 beds in their secondary site. Other: (1) Corrections (1) Regina correctional center

Third Site:


77

57. What is your position?

Primary Site:

2004 2005

Label Total # % of Responses Total # % of Responses

Description

Staff Nurse 135 95.7 131 96.3 Staff Nurse/Community Health Nurse

CNO/CEO 2 1.4 0 0.0 Chief Nursing Officer/Chief Executive Officer

Direct/Assis Dir 0 0.0 0 0.0 Director/Assistant Director

Mgr/Assist Mgr 0 0.0 2 1.5 Manager/Assistant Manager

Clinical Special 1 0.7 1 0.7 Clinical Nurse Specialist

Educator 0 0.0 0 0.0 Instructor/Professor/Educator

Researcher 0 0.0 1 0.7 Researcher

Consultant 0 0.0 0 0.0 Consultant

Nurse Pract. 0 0.0 0 0.0 Nursing Practitioner


Total 141 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 96% of respondents are staff nurses in their primary site. Other: (1) Registered Nurse


78

Secondary Site:

Third Site:

Key Findings:

• 100% of respondents are staff nurses at their second and third sites.


79

58. What is your main area of responsibility?

Primary Site:

Key Findings:

• 97.8% of respondents said that their main area of responsibility is direct care at their primary site. • Both of those who are in education teach clients and the one person who is in administration is

in the service area.

Secondary Site:

Third Site

Key Findings:

• 100% of respondents are staff nurses at their second and third sites.


80

59. In what area did you provide:

First Site Direct Care


Med/Surg 72 54.1 Medical/Surgical


Emergency care 19 14.3 Emergency care

Pediatric 13 9.8 Pediatric

Maternal 12 9.0 Maternal/Newborn

Critical Care 8 6.0 Critical Care

Oncology 6 4.5 Oncology

Comm Health 4 3.0 Community Health

Mental Health 4 3.0 Psychiatric/Mental Health

Geriatric 4 3.0 Geriatric/Long term care

Several clinics 3 2.3 Several clinical areas

Home care 2 1.5 Home care

Ambulatory Care 1 0.8 Ambulatory Care

Oper. Room/RR 1 0.8 Operating Room/RR

Occup. Health 0 0.0 Occupational Health

Rehabilitation 0 0.0 Rehabilitation

Total 133 100

Key Findings:

• 54.1% of respondents who work in direct care at their primary site are in the medical/surgical area. • The next most common area is emergency care, at 14.3%. Entries under ‘other’: (3) Acute Care (1) Outpost (2) Urology and Orthopedics (1) On leave (2) Neo-Natal Intensive Care (1) OB/GYN (2) Intensive Care (1) Neurosurgery (2) Dialysis (1) Forensic (1) Research (1) Cardio sciences (1) Renal Nurse (1) Burns (1) Palliative care


81

Direct Care Second Site

• Five out of 12 people who work in direct care at their second site are in the

medical/surgical area

Direct Care Third Site

• Three out of four people work in home care in their third site.


82

60. On average, how many hours per week do you work?

Primary Site: Minimum Maximum Average


Secondary Site:


Third Site:

hours/week 0 12 6.5

• In total, respondents currently work an average of 37.8 hours per week, ranging from 2 to

74.

61. 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?

Ranked as first influential factor:


Family/Community commitments 7 25.0 25.0

Clinical/client group I wanted 5 17.9 42.9

Desire to travel 4 14.3 57.1

Hours I wanted 3 10.7 67.9

Other 2 7.1 75.0

Position I wanted 2 7.1 82.1

Grad school assistance 1 3.6 85.7

Career planning 1 3.6 89.3

Salary 1 3.6 92.9

Shift I wanted 1 3.6 96.4

Familiar with Hospital where practicum was done 1 3.6 100.0

Total 28 100

Key Findings:

• Of the 28 respondents who have changed their primary job, the most commonly cited influential factor in choosing their current job was family or community commitments, followed by clinical/client group and the desire to travel.


83

Ranked as second influential factor:

Key Findings:

• Nine out of 28 respondents who have changed jobs cited geographic location as their second most influential factor.

Ranked as third influential factor:

Key Findings:

• Three of the 23 respondents who cited a third most influential factor in their choice of current job location said familiarity with the hospital and another three said grad school assistance. Entries under ‘other’ (1) Away from home (1) I like the variety in the patients. (1) I wanted to try working in another country (1) Marriage (1) Was only given limited options after being bumped.


84

Top 3 factors (combined):

10 10

7

6

5

4 4 4 4 4

2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Fam

ily/C

omm

unity

Positio

n I w

ante

d

Clin

ical/c

lient

gro

up

Hou

rs I

wan

ted

Oth

er

Des

ire to

trav

el

Gra

d sc

hool

ass

istan

ceSal

ary

Shift

I wan

ted

Fam

iliar w

ith H

ospi

tal

Car

eer p

lann

ing

To

tal

Factor Total # % of

Respondents

Family/Community commitments 10 35.7%

Position I wanted 10 35.7%

Clinical/client group 7 25.0%

Hours I wanted 6 21.4%

Other 5 17.9%

Desire to travel 4 14.3%

Grad school assistance 4 14.3%

Salary 4 14.3%

Shift I wanted 4 14.3%

Familiar with Hospital 4 14.3%

Career planning 2 7.1%

• In total, of the 28 respondents who have changed jobs, ten (or 35.7%) said that family or

community commitments was one of the top three factors in choosing their current job location, and ten said that it was the position that they wanted.

• Seven respondents (or 25%) said that their current job has the clinical/client group that they wanted, and six (21.4%) said it is the hours that they wanted.


85

64. How satisfied are you with your current primary job?

Key Findings:

• 47.1% of respondents are satisfied with their current primary job. • Another 32.4% are very satisfied.

• 18.4% are dissatisfied, and two people are very dissatisfied.

34 57 20 2 0 113

30.1% 50.4% 17.7% 1.8% .0% 100.0%

10 7 5 0 1 23

43.5% 30.4% 21.7% .0% 4.3% 100.0%

44 64 25 2 1 136

32.4% 47.1% 18.4% 1.5% .7% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Saskatchewan

Other

Current JobLocation

Total

VerySatisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied

VeryDissatisfied

Unsure/Don'tKnow

How satisfied are you with your current primary job

Total

• The above cross-tab shows a breakdown of satisfaction by location of current job.

Respondents who work outside of Saskatchewan were more likely to say that they are ‘very satisfied’, and those who work in Saskatchewan were more likely to say ‘satisfied’. Because there are only 23 respondents who work outside of Saskatchewan, we cannot conclude that these differences are statistically significant.

4 4 4 0 0 12

33.3% 33.3% 33.3% .0% .0% 100.0%

40 60 21 2 1 124

32.3% 48.4% 16.9% 1.6% .8% 100.0%

44 64 25 2 1 136

32.4% 47.1% 18.4% 1.5% .7% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Male

Female

What is

yourgender

Total

Very

Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied

Very

Dissatisfied

Unsure/Don't

Know


Total

• For interest, the above cross-tab shows job satisfaction by gender. We cannot conclude

that the difference is significant.


86

10 7 1 0 0 18

55.6% 38.9% 5.6% .0% .0% 100.0%

26 33 17 2 1 79

32.9% 41.8% 21.5% 2.5% 1.3% 100.0%

7 20 2 0 0 29

24.1% 69.0% 6.9% .0% .0% 100.0%

1 4 4 0 0 9

11.1% 44.4% 44.4% .0% .0% 100.0%

0 0 1 0 0 1

.0% .0% 100.0% .0% .0% 100.0%

44 64 25 2 1 136

32.4% 47.1% 18.4% 1.5% .7% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Very well

Well

Not well

Poorly

Unsure/Don't know

How well didyour educational

programprepare you fornursing practice

Total


VeryDissatisfied

Unsure/Don'tKnow


Total

• The above cross-tab shows that those who felt that their educational program prepared

them very well are most likely to be very satisfied with their current job. • Those who feel that their educational program prepared them poorly are most likely to be

dissatisfied with their current job.

11 12 3 1 1 28

39.3% 42.9% 10.7% 3.6% 3.6% 100.0%

5 20 3 0 0 28

17.9% 71.4% 10.7% .0% .0% 100.0%

28 32 19 1 0 80

35.0% 40.0% 23.8% 1.3% .0% 100.0%

44 64 25 2 1 136

32.4% 47.1% 18.4% 1.5% .7% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Yes, I changed my primary job.

I am working for the same primaryemployer, but in a diferent position

I am working for the same primaryemployer in the same position

Has your primaryemploymentchanged since

your first job

Total


VeryDissatisfied

Unsure/Don't Know


Total

• 89.3% of those who are working for the same employer, but in a different position than

their first job are satisfied or very satisfied with their current primary job. • 82.2% of those who have changed primary jobs are satisfied or very satisfied, and 75%

of those who have not changed jobs are satisfied or very satisfied.

34 51 21 0 0 106

32.1% 48.1% 19.8% .0% .0% 100.0%

7 4 0 1 0 12

58.3% 33.3% .0% 8.3% .0% 100.0%

2 6 2 0 0 10

20.0% 60.0% 20.0% .0% .0% 100.0%

1 3 2 1 1 8

12.5% 37.5% 25.0% 12.5% 12.5% 100.0%

44 64 25 2 1 136

32.4% 47.1% 18.4% 1.5% .7% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regular full-time

Casual full-time

Regular part-time

Casual part-time

What areyour currentwork hours

Total

Very


Very

Dissatisfied

Unsure/

Don't Know


Total

• The above cross-tab shows a breakdown of satisfaction by work hours. Respondents

who work full-time tend to be more satisfied.


87

65. How satisfied are you with your current gross annual salary for your primary job?

2003 2004 2005

Total # % of Responses Total # % of Responses Total # % of Responses Description

26 25.0 35 24.8 23 16.9 very satisfied

59 56.7 86 61.0 90 66.2 satisfied

17 16.3 16 11.3 20 14.7 dissatisfied

0 0.0 2 1.4 2 1.5 very dissatisfied

2 1.9 2 1.4 1 0.7 unsure/don't know

104 100 141 100 136 100

Key Findings:

• 66.2% of respondents are satisfied with their current gross annual salary. • Another 16.9% are very satisfied. • 14.7% are dissatisfied, and two people are very dissatisfied.

14 78 18 2 1 113

12.4% 69.0% 15.9% 1.8% .9% 100.0%

9 12 2 0 0 23

39.1% 52.2% 8.7% .0% .0% 100.0%

23 90 20 2 1 136

16.9% 66.2% 14.7% 1.5% .7% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Saskatchewan

Other

CurrentLocation

Total


VeryDissatisfied

Unsure/DontKnow

How satisfied are you with your current gross annual salary for your primaryjob

Total

• Those who work outside of Saskatchewan are slightly more satisfied with their gross

annual salary than those who work in Saskatchewan.


88

66. What are your total annual earnings before taxes and deductions?


< $20 000 1 0.7 0.7

$20 000-$24 999 0 0.0 0.7

$25 000-$29 999 2 1.5 2.2

$30 000-$34 999 4 2.9 5.1

$35 000-$39 999 11 8.0 13.1

$40 000-$44 999 9 6.6 19.7

$45 000-$49 999 15 10.9 30.7

$50 000-$54 999 42 30.7 61.3

$55 000-$59 999 33 24.1 85.4

$60 000-$64 999 3 2.2 87.6

$65 000-$69 999 4 2.9 90.5

$70 000-$74 999 3 2.2 92.7

> $75 000 7 5.1 97.8

Don't know 3 2.2 100.0

Total 137 100

Key Findings:

• The majority of respondents (54.8%) earn between $50,000 and $60,000 per year before taxes and deductions. • 30.7% make less than $50,000 and 12.4% make more than $60,000.

Count

1 0 0 1

0 2 0 2

0 0 1 1

0 0 1 1

1 2 2 5

$50,000 - $54,999

$55,000 - $59,999

$65,000 - $69,999

$75,000 and above

What is the total annualearnings before taxesand deductions (UScurrencey)

Total

$60,000 -$64,999

$70,000 -$74,999

$75,000and above

Canadian Conversion

Total

• Five respondents provided their income in US currency. The above table shows the

incomes of these respondents and their conversion into Canadian funds..


89

0 5 1 0 1 7

.0% 71.4% 14.3% .0% 14.3% 100.0%

3 24 7 1 0 35

8.6% 68.6% 20.0% 2.9% .0% 100.0%

11 55 7 1 0 74

14.9% 74.3% 9.5% 1.4% .0% 100.0%

9 5 3 0 0 17

52.9% 29.4% 17.6% .0% .0% 100.0%

23 89 18 2 1 133

17.3% 66.9% 13.5% 1.5% .8% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Less than $35000

$35000 to $49999

$50000 to $59999

$60000 or more

Income

Total

VerySatisfied Satisfied

Dissatisfied

VeryDissatisfied

Unsure/don'tknow


Total

• The above cross-tab shows a breakdown of satisfaction with income by income. As

would be expected, as income increases, so does satisfaction.

14 78 18 2 1 113

12.4% 69.0% 15.9% 1.8% .9% 100.0%

9 12 2 0 0 23

39.1% 52.2% 8.7% .0% .0% 100.0%

23 90 20 2 1 136

16.9% 66.2% 14.7% 1.5% .7% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Saskatchewan

Other

CurrentJob

Location

Total

Very

satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied

Very

dissatisfied

Unsure/dont

know


Total

• The above cross-tab shows that respondents who work outside of Saskatchewan are

much more likely to be very satisfied with their gross annual salary.


90

Demographics

67. Are you registered with any of the following associations?

2003 2004 2005

Label Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Total #

% of Responses

Description

SRNA 75 72.1 109 75.7 114 83.2 SRNA

RPNAS 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 RPNAS

Both 0 0.0 7 4.9 2 1.5 Both

Neither 6 5.8 3 2.1 9 6.6 Neither

Other licensure

23 22.1 25 17.4 12 8.8 Other nursing licensure, (please specify)

Total 104 100 144 100 137 100

Key Findings:

• 85.4% of respondents are registered with the SRNA, this number has increased over the past three years (note that three respondents indicated other and named the SRNA along with other associations). Entries under "Other": (6) AARN (1) Alberta & BC (1) California Nursing (1) Connecticut, Minnesota, North Carolina, SRNA (1) NZNO and SRNA (1) RANO/ SRNA (1) Yukon registered nurses association


91

68. What is your gender?

Key Findings:

• 90.5% of respondents are female, and 9.5% are male.

69. Where did you grow up?

Key Findings:

• 36% of respondents grew up in a town in Saskatchewan. • Another 23% grew up in rural Saskatchewan.

• 17% grew up in Regina, 12% in Saskatoon, and 8% grew up outside of Saskatchewan. Entries under "Outside Saskatchewan": (2) Ontario (2) Alberta (1) China (1) Ethiopia (1) Flin Flon, MB (1) Manitoba, Alberta (1) Netherlands (1) Philippines (1) Southeast Asia


92

70. Do you hold aboriginal status?

2003 2004 2005


Description

Yes 2 1.9 5 3.5 7 5.1 Yes

No 102 98.1 139 96.5 130 94.9 No

Total 104 100 144 100 137 100

Key Findings:

• 5.1% of respondents (seven people) hold aboriginal status.

71. You indicated that you are Aboriginal; please indicate if you are:

Key Findings:

• Five respondents are Metis and two are Status/Treaty.


93

72. What is your current marital status?

Key Findings:

• 43.8% of respondents are currently married. • Another 40.1% are single.

73. Do you currently have any dependent children/adults?

Key Findings:

• 24.1% of respondents currently have dependents.


94


74. How satisfied were you with your educational experience in the NEPS program?

2003 2004 2005


Description

very satisfied 15 14.4 11 7.6 22 16.1 very satisfied

satisfied 69 66.3 105 72.9 83 60.6 satisfied

dissatisfied 16 15.4 19 13.2 24 17.5 dissatisfied

very dissatis. 3 2.9 6 4.2 6 4.4 very dissatisfied

unsure 1 1.0 3 2.1 2 1.5 unsure/don't know

Total 104 100 144 100 137 100

Key Findings:

• 60.6% of respondents are satisfied with their educational experience in the NEPS program. • Another 16.1% are very satisfied. • 21.9% of respondents are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their educational experience in the NEPS program, slightly more than in previous years.

8 26 10 5 2 51

15.7% 51.0% 19.6% 9.8% 3.9% 100.0%

14 57 14 1 0 86

16.3% 66.3% 16.3% 1.2% .0% 100.0%

22 83 24 6 2 137

16.1% 60.6% 17.5% 4.4% 1.5% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regina

Saskatoon

What was your

program site atgraduation fromthe NEPS program

Total

Very


Very

Dissatisfied

Unsure/Don't

Know

How satisfied were you with your educational experience in the NEPSprogram

Total

• Those who graduated from Saskatoon were slightly more satisfied with their educational

experience than those who graduated from Regina.


95

3 2 4 3 1 13

23.1% 15.4% 30.8% 23.1% 7.7% 100.0%

19 81 20 3 1 124

15.3% 65.3% 16.1% 2.4% .8% 100.0%

22 83 24 6 2 137

16.1% 60.6% 17.5% 4.4% 1.5% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Male

Female

What isyourgender

Total


VeryDissatisfied

Unsure/Don'tKnow


Total

• For interest, the above cross-tab shows the breakdown of satisfaction with the program

by gender. Seven of the 13 (53.9%) males surveyed were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their educational experience in the NEPS program.

4 17 8 3 1 33

12.1% 51.5% 24.2% 9.1% 3.0% 100.0%

18 66 16 3 1 104

17.3% 63.5% 15.4% 2.9% 1.0% 100.0%

22 83 24 6 2 137

16.1% 60.6% 17.5% 4.4% 1.5% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Yes

No

Do you currentlyhave anydependentchildren/adults

Total


VeryDissatisfied

Unsure/Don'tKnow


Total

• Interestingly, the above cross-tab shows that respondents who have dependents seem to

be slightly less satisfied with their educational experience in NEPS than those who do not have dependents.

11 4 1 1 1 18

61.1% 22.2% 5.6% 5.6% 5.6% 100.0%

11 64 4 0 1 80

13.8% 80.0% 5.0% .0% 1.3% 100.0%

0 13 16 0 0 29

.0% 44.8% 55.2% .0% .0% 100.0%

0 1 3 5 0 9

.0% 11.1% 33.3% 55.6% .0% 100.0%

0 1 0 0 0 1

.0% 100.0% .0% .0% .0% 100.0%

22 83 24 6 2 137

16.1% 60.6% 17.5% 4.4% 1.5% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Very well

Well

Not well

Poorly

Unsure/dont know

How well did youreducational programprepare you fornursing practice

Total


VeryDissatisfied

Unsure/Don'tKnow


Total

• As would be expected, satisfaction with the program is highly correlated with how well

prepared respondents felt for their nursing practice.


96

75. How well did your educational program prepare you for nursing practice?

Key Findings:

• 71.5% of respondents feel that their educational program prepared them well or very well for their nursing practice.

• 27.8% said not well or poorly.

7 26 11 7 0 51

13.7% 51.0% 21.6% 13.7% .0% 100.0%

11 54 18 2 1 86

12.8% 62.8% 20.9% 2.3% 1.2% 100.0%

18 80 29 9 1 137

13.1% 58.4% 21.2% 6.6% .7% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Regina

Saskatoon

What was yourprogram site at

graduation from

the NEPS program

Total

Very well Well Not well Poorly

Unsure/dont

know

How well did your educational program prepare you for nursingpractice

Total

• It appears that those who graduated from Saskatoon felt slightly more prepared than

those from Regina. We cannot conclude that the difference is statistically significant.


97

76. Have you completed or are you currently enrolled in a graduate program?

Key Findings:

• 8.8% of respondents (12 people) have completed or are currently enrolled in a graduate program.

77. How satisfied are you with nursing as a career?

Key Findings:

• 90.5% of respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with nursing as a career. • 7.3% (ten people) are dissatisfied, and none are very dissatisfied.


98

4 7 1 1 13

30.8% 53.8% 7.7% 7.7% 100.0%

47 66 9 2 124

37.9% 53.2% 7.3% 1.6% 100.0%

51 73 10 3 137

37.2% 53.3% 7.3% 2.2% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Male

Female

What isyourgender

Total

Very


Unsure/Dont

Know

How satisfied are you with nursing as a career

Total

• There is not a significant difference in satisfaction with nursing as a career between

males and females.

31 13 0 0 44

70.5% 29.5% .0% .0% 100.0%

18 41 3 2 64

28.1% 64.1% 4.7% 3.1% 100.0%

2 16 6 1 25

8.0% 64.0% 24.0% 4.0% 100.0%

0 2 0 0 2

.0% 100.0% .0% .0% 100.0%

0 1 0 0 1

.0% 100.0% .0% .0% 100.0%

51 73 9 3 136

37.5% 53.7% 6.6% 2.2% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Very Satisfied

Satisfied

Dissatisfied

Very Dissatisfied

Unsure/Don'tKnow

How satisfiedare you with

your currentprimary job

Total

Very


Unsure/Don't

Know


Total

• As would be expected, satisfaction with nursing as a career is highly correlated with

satisfaction with current job.

10 8 0 0 18

55.6% 44.4% .0% .0% 100.0%

29 42 9 0 80

36.3% 52.5% 11.3% .0% 100.0%

10 17 1 1 29

34.5% 58.6% 3.4% 3.4% 100.0%

2 6 0 1 9

22.2% 66.7% .0% 11.1% 100.0%

0 0 0 1 1

.0% .0% .0% 100.0% 100.0%

51 73 10 3 137

37.2% 53.3% 7.3% 2.2% 100.0%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Count

%

Very well

Well

Not well

Poorly

Unsure/Don'tknow

How well did youreducationalprogram prepareyou for nursing

practice

Total


Unsure/Don't Know


Total

• Again, as would be expected, satisfaction with nursing as a career is highly correlated

with how well prepared respondents felt.


99

78. Do you have any general comments regarding the education you received in the NEPS program?


Curriculum/Class 31 38.3 Curriculum/Class Suggestions/Issues

More Clinical 25 30.9 More Clinical Experience

More Practical 19 23.5 More Practical Experience

Instructors 18 22.2 Issues with the Instructors/Teachers

Not Prepared 16 19.8 Not Prepared/Not Satisfied

Satisfied 9 11.1 Overall Satisfaction/Well Prepared

No Comment 6 7.4 No Comment

Other 4 4.9 Other

Less Theory 3 3.7 Less Theory

Total 81 100

Key Findings:

• Thirty-one of the total respondents made comments regarding the curriculum or classes in the program. • Twenty-five people mentioned that they would have liked more clinical experience and 19 said they would have liked more practical experience.


100

Conclusions: Summary of Key Findings

Before Starting the NEPS Program

• 15.3% of respondents had previous education in the health care field prior to starting the NEPS program.

• Of the 21 respondents who had previous education in the health care field, six said Lab tech/EMT. 14.3% (3 respondents) said health/home care, and another 14.3% said LPN. 42.9% (9 respondents) cited other education in the heath care field.

• 37.2% of respondents had high school as their highest education prior to starting the program. Another 35.0% had some university. 18.2% had a SIAST diploma and 8.8%% had a Baccalaureate.

• Just over half of all respondents were going to school the year before starting NEPS. Another 43.8% were working, and 5.1% were taking care of household responsibilities. Of those who were working in the year before entering the program, 23.3% were in the health care field.


• The majority of respondents (56.9%) started the program in 1999. Another 28.5% started in 2000. 14.5% started before 1999.

• Just over half of all respondents were 20 or younger when they entered the NEPS program. Another 34.3% were 21 to 25, and 15.4% were over 25.

• 54.7% of respondents entered the NEPS program in Saskatoon. The number of respondents who entered the program in Regina has increased from 16.3% of 2003 respondents to 38.2% of 2004 respondents to 45.3% of 2005 respondents.

• Nearly half of all respondents experienced a home relocation during the NEPS program. 54.7% of those who started their program in Saskatoon moved during the program, compared to 43.5% of those who entered the program in Regina. 46.7% of all respondents experienced the death or illness of a family member or friend. 41.6% of all respondents experienced uncertainty about Nursing as a career while they were in the program. Respondents who entered the program in Saskatoon were significantly more likely to experience this uncertainty (46.7%, compared to 35.5% of Regina respondents).

• 65.7% of respondents worked as a Senior Assist during their NEPS program. This has

increased slightly from previous years.

• 68.6% of respondents had a job while in the NEPS program. This number has not changed significantly over the years.

• More than half of those who had a job while in the NEPS program worked 11 to 20 hours per week. Another 23.7% worked between one and ten hours per week and 23.7% worked more than 20 hours per week. On average, respondents who worked did so approximately 16 hours per week.


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• 62.8% of respondents received scholarships or bursaries during the program. This number has increased significantly from previous years. 34.6% of respondents who received scholarships or bursaries got between $2000 and $5000. Another 22.2% received between $1000 and $2000. 19.8% received between $5000 and $10000. 16.0% received $1000 or less, and 7.4% received over $10000.

• 76.6% of respondents received student or educational loans during the program. This number has increased from 68.1% of 2004 respondents. 13.7% of respondents who received loans owed less than $10,000 at completion of the program. 27.4% owed between $10000 and $20000. 23.5% owed between $20000 and $30000. 24.5% owed between $30000 and $40000. 10.8% owed more than $40000. The average amount owing was $25,100.

• 74.5% of all respondents completed their NEPS program in 2003. Of those, 49% finished in

April, 37.3% in October, 6.9% in December, and 6.9% said other months. 21.9% of all respondents completed their NEPS program in 2002. Of those, 80% finished in December, 13.3% in April, and 6.7% in October. 3.6% of all respondents (5 people) completed their NEPS program in 2001.

• 61.8% of respondents graduated from NEPS in Saskatoon. This percentage has decreased from 84.6% of 2003 respondents. 38.2% graduated from Regina.

Experiences in the First Year After Graduation

• All but one respondent were employed as a nurse during the first year after graduation.

• 91.2% of respondents had their first job as a graduate nurse in Saskatchewan. 5.1% worked in Alberta or BC for their first job and only 3.7% worked elsewhere.

• 89% of respondents had their first job as a graduate nurse in an urban location. 9.6% worked in a rural setting, and 1.5% said both urban and rural.

• 61.8% of all respondents said that family or community commitments was one of the top three

factors in their choice of work location. The second most common response was geographic location, with 43.4% of respondents. Other common responses were: Position I wanted (29.4%), signing bonus (24.3%), clinical/client group I wanted (23.5%), and total hours I wanted (21.3%).

• Nearly half of respondents said that finding their first job was less difficult than they expected. Another 36.0% said that it was the same as expected, and 14.7% said it was more difficult than expected.

• 56.6% of respondents were invited to a job before they started actively seeking employment. Although still quite high, this number has dropped from 65.7% of 2004 respondents. Another 33.8% obtained their first job within the first month after starting to look. 8.1% took one to two months, two people took 3 to 5 months, and no one took 6 months or more.

• 57.3% of those who worked as a Senior Assist were offered a job from the unit where they were employed as a Senior Assist. This number has dropped steadily over the past three years.

• 56.6% of respondents got a job offer from a unit where they did their fourth year practicum. This number has also decreased steadily over the past three years.


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• 72.8% of respondents worked regular full-time hours in their first job as a graduate nurse. Another 15.4% worked casual full-time. 6.6% worked casual part-time, and 5.1% worked regular part-time. 81.6% of all respondents' hours were on their preferred basis. All but one of those who worked regular full-time said that this was their preference. 42.9% of those who worked regular part-time said that this was their preference. Only one third of those who worked casual full-time or casual part-time said that this was their preference.

• 86% of respondents gave a rating of 4 or 5 on a scale of 1-5 with regards to the location of their first job meeting their ideal preference. This is higher than in previous years.

• 68.4% of respondents gave a rating of 4 or 5 with regards to the client group of their first job meeting their ideal preference. The number of respondents who gave a rating of 5 has increased, and the number who gave a rating of 4 has decreased.

• 71.3% of respondents gave a rating of 4 or 5 with regards to the responsibilities of their first job

meeting their ideal preference. This is slightly lower than previous years.

• 55.9% of respondents gave a rating of 4 or 5 with regards to the shifts of their first job meeting their ideal preference. This is slightly lower than previous years.

• 58.1% of respondents gave a rating of 4 or 5 with regards to the work environment of their first job meeting their ideal preference.

• 61.8% of respondents had an orientation of 6 to 30 days. Another 35.3% had an orientation of 2 to 5 days. Orientation length has decreased slightly over the past three years. Interestingly, the three respondents who had less than a day or no orientation thought that it was about right. 84.5% of those who had an orientation of 6 to 30 days thought that the length was about right. 41.7% of those who had an orientation of 2 to 5 days thought it was about right, and 58.3% thought it was too short.

• 37.5% of respondents think that their orientation prepared them quite well for their first position. Another 36% think that it was satisfactory, and 13.2% think it prepared them very well. 13.2% said not very well or very poorly. Of those who said their orientation prepared them not well or very poorly, 61.1% said that there was a lack of a mentor, half said that it was too short, and one third said that the content was insufficient.

• 86% of respondents worked at one site for their first job as a graduate nurse. 8.1% worked at two sites, and another 5.9% worked at more than two sites.

• 71% of respondents worked in a general hospital with more than 100 beds in their primary site. This has dropped from 83% in the previous year. 26% of respondents worked in a general hospital with less than 100 beds in their primary site. This has increased from 11% in the previous year.

• 99% of respondents were staff nurses in their primary site. 100% of respondents were in direct care in their primary site. 65.4% of respondents provided direct care in the medical/surgical area. 15.4% were in pediatrics and 13.2% were in emergency care.


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Current Employment Situation

• 92.7% of respondents are currently employed as a nurse. Another 6.6% are employed as a

nurse, but are presently on leave. One respondent is not currently employed. The one individual who is not currently employed as a nurse cited health reasons. This person does intend to seek employment in nursing in the future.

• 58.8% of respondents have not changed their primary employment since their first job. Another 20.6% are working in a different position for the same employer. 20.6% of respondents have changed their employment since their first job. This is significantly lower than in previous years' surveys. Six out of the 29 respondents who have changed jobs said that it was because they were dissatisfied with their former job. There is a wide variety of other reasons cited for changing jobs.

• 83.1% of respondents are currently employed in Saskatchewan. This has increased over the past three years, while the number of those working in Alberta or BC has decreased. 30.4% of those who are not currently working in Saskatchewan expect to return.

• 87.5% of respondents work in an urban location. 11% work in a rural location, and two people

said both.

• 77.9% of respondents are currently working regular full-time hours. Another 8.8% are working casual full-time. 7.4% are working regular part-time, and 5.9% are working casual part-time. 87.5% of respondents are working their preferred hours.

• 91.2% of respondents currently work at one site. 5.9% work at two sites, and 2.9% (four people) work at more than two sites.

• 63% of respondents currently work in a general hospital with more than 100 beds, compared to

80% of respondents from the previous year. Another 30% work in a general hospital with less than 100 beds, compared to 9% from the previous year.

• 96% of respondents are staff nurses in their primary site. 97.8% of respondents said that their main area of responsibility is direct care at their primary site. 54.1% of respondents who work in direct care at their primary site are in the medical/surgical area. The next most common area is emergency care, at 14.3%.

• In total, of the 28 respondents who have changed jobs, ten (or 35.7%) said that family or

community commitments was one of the top three factors in choosing their current job location, and ten said that it was the position that they wanted. Seven respondents (or 25%) said that their current job has the clinical/client group that they wanted, and six (21.4%) said it is the hours that they wanted.

• 47.1% of respondents are satisfied with their current primary job. Another 32.4% are very satisfied. 18.4% are dissatisfied, and two people are very dissatisfied.

• 66.2% of respondents are satisfied with their current gross annual salary. Another 16.9% are very satisfied. 14.7% are dissatisfied, and two people are very dissatisfied.

• 85.4% of respondents are registered with the SRNA, this number has increased over the past

three years(note that three respondents indicated other and named the SRNA along with other associations).


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Demographics

• 90.5% of respondents are female, and 9.5% are male. • 36% of respondents grew up in a town in Saskatchewan. Another 23% grew up in rural

Saskatchewan. 17% grew up in Regina, 12% in Saskatoon, and 8% grew up outside of Saskatchewan.

• 5.1% of respondents (seven people) hold aboriginal status. Five respondents are Metis and two are Status/Treaty.

• 43.8% of respondents are currently married. Another 40.1% are single. 24.1% of respondents currently have dependents.


• 60.6% of respondents are satisfied with their educational experience in the NEPS program.

Another 16.1% are very satisfied. 21.9% of respondents are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their educational experience in the NEPS program, slightly more than in previous years.

• 71.5% of respondents feel that their educational program prepared them well or very well for

their nursing practice. 27.8% said not well or poorly.

• 8.8% of respondents (12 people) have completed or are currently enrolled in a graduate program.

• 90.5% of respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with nursing as a career. 7.3% (ten people) are dissatisfied, and none are very dissatisfied.

• When asked if they had any further comments, 31 of the total respondents made comments regarding the curriculum or classes in the program. Twenty-five people mentioned that they would have liked more clinical experience and 19 said they would have liked more practical experience.

Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan …Final Report August 2005 NEPS 2-Year Follow-Up Survey...

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