Trends in master's education in nursing

Abstract

This study was designed to identify trends in master's level graduate nursing education programs over the five years from 1979 to 1984. In 1979, National League for Nursing-accredited master's programs numbered 81; by 1984, they had increased by 46 per cent to 118 programs. Data related to these accredited programs were analyzed to identify changes in admission requirements, program offerings, and thesis or comprehensive examination requirements. Chi-square analyses were used to identify significant differences over the five-year time period. With respect to admission requirements, there were no differences between 1979 and 1984 requirements regarding the bac-calaureate degree and preadmission aptitude examination. However, compared with 1979, significantly more programs in 1984 required the applicant to have nursing experience, an undergraduate statistics course, and health assessment skills. Significantly fewer programs offered nursing education as a primary area of study in 1984. Conversely, there has been a significant increase in the number of gerontology majors. Overall, there was a significant trend toward specialty majors, most noticeable although not statistically significant in the medical-surgical and psychiatric/mental health clinical areas. With respect to thesis and examination requirements, there was no significant change in thesis requirements over the five-year period. However, there was a significant increase in the number of programs requiring comprehensive examinations. Continued monitoring of changes in graduate programs is recommended to provide information for future program planning.