An evaluation of post-registration students experience of higher education

The Diploma in Professional Studies in Nursing and Midwifery (DPSN/M) was planned to help experienced nurses and midwives to study at a higher education level. The main aim of the course is to inform and improve practice, thus supporting research based, reflective, professional development. In this paper the students experience of the Management of Care Delivery (MCD) unit of the course is evaluated by use of a semantic differential scale, the Hoste Grid. The results show a positive expectation of the unit which is shaken, but not destroyed, by the process of experiencing the course and its assessment. The study also highlights some of the difficulties of conducting educational research.