News
October 2008
Alumni Survey: Key Findings
Photo by Bob Rashid
Photo by James Gill
Photo by Bob Rashid
Photo by Bob Rashid
Last fall, nursing alumni were asked to share their perceptions about the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing. Of 8,179 surveys mailed with the fall 2007 issue of Nursing Dimensions, 1,266 were completed and returned, resulting in an impressive 15.48 percent response rate.
The survey is a first step toward fostering two-way communication with alumni. Its purpose was three-fold: to learn more about the current professional status of alumni, to gather feedback on school initiatives, and to measure overall satisfaction with the nursing degree program. The following information presents key findings:
Current Professional Situation
Approximately 75 percent of survey respondents were currently active in nursing, with the majority working between thirty-one and fifty hours per week. Of those respondents, just under 70 percent described their health care roles as nurse clinicians or advanced practice nurses. Most respondents who were not currently active in nursing were retired. Overall, nearly 94 percent of respondents were satisfied with their career in nursing.
School of Nursing Priorities
The initiative to prepare nurse leaders for the health challenges of the twenty-first century was the clear front-runner among important strategic directions for the School of Nursing. In other areas, initiatives to advance the science of nursing through research and scholarship and foster strategic partnerships to promote human health were ranked second and third in importance.
Overall Satisfaction with Academic Programs
In general, respondents indicated high overall satisfaction with their degree programs. Nearly 78 percent reported that the nursing program prepared them well for their first position after graduation. High satisfaction scores also dominated when respondents were asked how well the nursing program prepared them for success in their current position. Nearly 88 percent rated the overall value of their nursing degree as good or excellent.
Respondents were also asked to identify strengths and areas that need improvement at the School of Nursing. Providing programs of research addressing critical health problems was indicated as the school’s top strength. Responding to societal needs and serving as a regional and world leader in solving critical problems in health care were noted as the areas where more should be done.
Profile of Survey Respondents
Almost all survey respondents were female, and half were between the ages of forty and fifty-nine. Of the nearly 60 percent residing in Wisconsin, approximately 40 percent lived in Dane County.
Most respondents reported that the highest degree they had received from the UW-Madison was the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BS). While almost half of the respondents indicated that they had earned a graduate degree in nursing from various institutions nationwide, half of this group noted that they received their advanced degree from the UW-Madison. One-third of all respondents would consider enrolling in a master’s or PhD program.
Survey feedback gave the School of Nursing a better understanding of alumni career choices and satisfaction with degree programs. It also provided information that will be useful as the school begins to plan future educational programs and initiatives.