1. Aims of Study Methods Background and Significance Naomi Vogt and Lisa Schiller, PhD, APNP, FNP-BC University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire – College of Nursing and Health Sciences Naomi Vogt and Lisa Schiller, PhD, APNP, FNP-BC University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire – College of Nursing and Health Sciences  To gain insight on retired nurses’ perspectives regarding nursing education and collaboration among health professionals.  To gain insight on retired nurses’ ideas for future improvement in education and collaboration to meet the IOM goals for the future of nursing.  Qualitative study utilizing purposive convenience sampling of 10 retired nursing professionals in Wisconsin.  Recruitment of participants via recommendations from faculty at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire and participants themselves.  Interview questions developed based on recommendations outlined in the future of nursing report.  Interviews were audio taped and reviewed by both members of the research team. Key responses were transcribed and themes were developed based on developed participant responses.  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and Institute of Medicine (IOM) published the Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2011), in order to identify barriers to advancement of the nursing profession and suggestions for improvement.  Two of four recommendations from the report were focused on for this research study: Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression. Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health care professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States. A Look to the Future of Nursing from the Perspective of the Past: A Qualitative Study of Retired Nurses on the IOM Future of Nursing A Look to the Future of Nursing from the Perspective of the Past: A Qualitative Study of Retired Nurses on the IOM Future of Nursing Results We thank the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs for supporting this research, and Learning & Technology Services for printing this poster.  No improvement in quality of care, just different skill sets “Those with diplomas had many, many clinical hours…better experience…I felt, even from early on, that my (bachelors prepared) assessment skills were better.”  Technology has affected the nurse-patient relationship “(When I started the) quality of care was excellent…we really cared for people…there weren’t so many computers…(nurses) are spending too much time outside of the room on computers and should be spending more time with patients.” Quality of care related to entry level of education changes Barriers to increasing level of education  Lack of encouragement from institutions  Nurses weren’t recognized for their level of education “There was not a focus on education preparation, the focus was on…were you licensed or not. That’s one of the things that made it hard for advanced education to get any traction.”  Decreased practical/clinical experience in baccalaureate education “The hospital experience (diploma program) was much better than any type of college that tried to duplicate things.”  Cost and time barriers “Once they got licensed it was difficult to work and go to school. Some employers didn’t have financial reimbursement. It was difficult to afford it. It kept a lot from pursuing increasing education that otherwise would have.”  Barriers within the profession “The barrier came from within the profession. There were very few masters or PhD programs…there was a hesitancy for nursing to open doors.” Benefits of increasing level of education  Quality research and use of evidence based practice “If we ascribe to evidence based practice…the more the education, the better you are able to determine which evidence to pay attention to and then interpret what it means.”  Expanded opportunities for employment and decision making “(Nurses) will be involved in committees, organizations, where they will have more opportunity for decision making and input into what is quality healthcare and who can provide what care.” Nurse-Doctor Collaboration Collaboration with other health care professionals  There was tension between nurses of various educational levels  In the past there was a lack of interprofessional teamwork “There wasn’t really the art of communication and partnership of working together.”  Nurses have played a role in facilitating collaboration “Yes, they’re (nurses) a big part of healthcare. The main spoke.”  Room for improvement: lacking in direct communication due to technological advancements “Verbal communication has lagged behind.” “Technology may compromise understanding.” Nurses as full partners  Some participants thought nurses are full partners “But nowadays the doctors really listen to the nurses and feel they’re in a partnership.”  Many think there is still room for improvement “All of nurses’ activities depend on orders from the physician…We’ve always been tied to the physician as if the dog to the dog house” The Future  Skeptical as to whether or not recommendations will be put into practice “I guess I thought ‘here we go again.’ I felt wary and jaded from reading it. I want it to succeed but was skeptical as to whether or not it would.”  Involving vast numbers of nurses from different settings is key “The only way this is going to work is if they involve in numbers nurses in the process who work at different levels in different settings…they have different wants, needs, and expectations.”  Now there is mutual respect for the most part “now nurses can have a conversation with physicians. Physicians seek nurses’ assessment and opinion…there’s mutual respect for the most part.” Future Research  Further research with a larger, more diverse sample would help to clarify experiences and gain insight into recommendations for future improvement.  Interviews with nurses currently in practice or new to practice could help clarify the current state of nursing practice.  In the past: not mutual respect between nurses and physicians “You treated them with respect and when a doctor would come to your nurses’ station you stood up.” Sample  Ten white female retired nurse professionals.  Mean age = 77.0, (Range = 66 – 96 years, SD = 9.9)  Retired for Mean 17.0 years (Range = 2-35, SD=10.7)  6 entered into practice as Diploma graduate and 4 entered into practice with bachelor’s degree in nursing  Sample represented 324 years of nursing experience  Highest level of education included diploma, BSN, MSN, and PhD.  Experience in hospital, ambulatory, public health, home health and nursing education