[Obstacles to university studies: the point of view of Quebec nurses]

This research project aimed at identifying obstacles that prevent nurses from taking university courses. Through a random stratified sampling method, we selected 2,063 persons among the 22,494 French speaking nurses of Quebec who worked as nurses and did not take any courses beyond their professional training at the CEGEP level or at the hospital. A 50 statement questionnaire was mailed out and 1,197 questionnaires were returned and reviewed. The ten most important statements were considered under three main themes: lack of time, lack of interest and strenuous working conditions. Statements relating to lack of time and working conditions were dependent upon (X2, p less than .05) the nurses' situation, i.e. employment status, marital status, number of children and age. Theoretical and practical advice are given to interested nurses.