The impact of higher education for post-registration nurses on their subsequent clinical practice: an exploration of students' views.

In recent years there has been a large increase in the number of qualified nurses in the United Kingdom, who have raised the academic level of their nursing qualification to diploma level or above. Correspondingly, there has been little research that assesses the value of post-registration education offered by universities. In particular, there is a paucity of research regarding the effects of courses on the subsequent clinical practice of participants. Studies of post-registration education appear to be small scale and limited in scope. This paper examines the views of diplomates as to the effect of a Diploma in Professional Studies in Nursing course on clinical practice. A questionnaire was sent to all nurses (n = 169), from the first seven cohorts, who successfully completed the course. A response rate of 66.8% (n = 113) was achieved. The respondents reported themselves to be more questioning, more able to apply research findings and to have a wider knowledge for practice following completion of the course. The findings are discussed, limitations of the study addressed and recommendations for further research are made.