Graduate nurses in Northern Ireland: their career paths, aspirations and problems

This paper is based on a survey of graduates from the B.Sc. in Nursing studies at the New University of Ulster (now the University of Ulster). Six cohorts, those entering between 1975 and 1980, were sent a postal questionnaire. The results cover the careers of these graduates and also describe their problems and their aspirations. The findings confirm those of other studies in relation to the clinical orientation of graduate nurses. Some respondents had positive views about graduate status, others had experienced prejudice and even hostility. Most respondents intended to pursue a lifetime career in nursing.