Education related to organ donation and transplantation in undergraduate nursing schools: 1993 versus 2000

To evaluate the change in the amount and type of content related to organ donation and transplantation in US nursing schools from 1993 to 2000.

A survey of 700 nursing schools was conducted in 2000, and its results were compared with results of a similar survey conducted in 1993. Three hundred fifty schools (53.3%) completed the 2000 survey, and 426 (61%) completed the 1993 survey.

Although the amount of time dedicated to donation (P = .82) and transplantation (P = .26) issues did not change significantly, the number and types of topics presented, such as minority concerns and cultural issues, increased significantly. There was also a significant increase (P = .002) in faculty ratings of whether it is important to expose new graduates to this content. A significant increase was also observed in the number of schools that reported that organ procurement professionals presented such content to students (31% to 42%, P = .006).

Although the amount of time spent on these issues has not increased, the number of topics that are now included in the nursing curriculum has increased. In 2000, nursing faculty perceived such content as more important to include in the school's curriculum than in 1993. This change in perception may be a first step in creating a nursing workforce that is knowledgeable about organ donation and transplantation.