Background Epidemiological changes led to review health services organization and nursing education, in order to train practitioners capable of effectively dealing with new healthcare needs. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is a post-graduation training curriculum aimed at providing nurses a method to approach complex and unconventional problems. This survey aims to assess if the skills acquired through MSN degree were implemented in the workplace and were useful for professional advancements.
Methods This survey involved 257 MSN graduates of Polytechnic University of Marche, 196 of them completed the survey (response rate 76.3%). Logistic regression models were developed to test independent correlation between variables.
Results A positive relation between acquisition of skills and their implementation in the workplace has been demonstrated in all training areas: clinical (OR=25.2; p<0.001), management (OR=7.4; p<0.001), educational (OR=14.2; p<0.001), research (OR=18.8; p<0.001). Only implementation of management skills resulted associated to hierarchical position (nurse managers: OR=11.8; p=0.006; service director nurses: OR=14.6; p=0.025) and age class (≥50 years old: OR=7.3; p=0.004). Economical progressions resulted to be only related to formal hierarchical advancements (OR=27.9; p<0.001), but acquisition of skills allows MSN graduated to increase collaboration in research or educative projects (OR=3.3; p=0.010) and publication of scientific papers (OR=8.7; p<0.001).
Conclusions Although application of managerial skills requires the achievement of a higher hierarchical position, implementation of these skills can be realized by all MSN graduates, regardless of their age and hierarchical position. This contribute to improve areas of research and develop new models of nursing care necessary to manage chronic and complex patients.