A South West regional survey of factors affecting the future development and education of nursing and midwifery educators

To ensure that higher education institutions (HEIs) keep abreast of the changes advocated by the NHS modernisation agenda, a regional survey was undertaken to identify and analyse the development needs of individuals involved in the education of nurses and midwives in the South West of England. A total of 760 self-administered postal questionnaires were distributed with 426 returns, giving a response rate of 56%. This paper discusses the qualitative responses from the 57-item questionnaire that reported the factors facilitating (n=79) and inhibiting (n=140) the educators' personal development, and additional responses from those wishing to make further comment (n=125). From a content analysis it was noted that the themes identified as both facilitating and inhibiting development were inter-linked. The data from the additional responses served to reinforce the issues that had already emerged. Discussion revolves around the four refined themes of the need for greater resources, for a supportive organisation, for role organisation and development and for collaborative practice. Recommendations suggest greater clarification is needed of the roles of academics in practice and that they need more resources to support them in their achievement. Finally, the study reinforces the need for collaborative working across HEIs and the NHS if the modernization agenda is to be met