[Outcomes of nursing education. Retrospective evaluation after five years in working life]

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the quality of outcomes of nursing education. The evaluation takes place five years after the graduation and it allows to evaluate the outcomes from the perspective on nursing practice and to identify the discrepancies between education and working life. This kind of evaluation is very rare in nursing. The data were collected in 1996 by postal questionnaires. The questionnaire was divided into following areas: 1) theoretical knowledge base, 2) interactive skills, 3) educational skills, 4) practical nursing skills and 5) collaborative skills. The sample consisted of graduating nursing students in Finland 1990 (altogether 522). The response rate was 68% (n = 354). The analysis was done statistically. According the results the respondents had the best skills in practical nursing skills, in collaboration and in theoretical knowledge base. The worst skills they had in interactive skills, especially with patients having abuse problems and in educational skills. The results indicate the problems and advantages of existing education and give basis for development.