A survey of recipients of American Cancer Society master's degree scholarships.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To determine the contributions that recipients of American Cancer Society (ACS) master's degree scholarships have made to oncology nursing and care.

DESIGN

Evaluation survey.

SETTING

National.

SAMPLE

All scholarship recipients since the program's initiation who were at least three years postfunding and who could be located (N = 103). The final sample consisted of 84 respondents.

METHODS

Investigators mailed subjects surveys and conducted follow-up phone calls to increase the return rate. The 15-item survey tool contained four open-ended, nine short-response, and two Likert-type scale items.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Employment experience, ACS involvement, thesis topics, presentations/publications, integration of oncology nursing into practice, perceived ability to influence cancer prevention and detection, and professional goals.

FINDINGS

A high rate of master's program completion, direct clinical involvement, ACS involvement, and prevention and detection activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Recipients demonstrated a high degree of socialization into oncology nursing. They demonstrated that they are making important contributions to oncology nursing and cancer control.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Scholarships are an excellent way for oncology nurses to further their education and professional development. After graduation, these nurses are very likely to make strong contributions to nursing.