Retired Troops to Nurse Teachers Survey

RETIRED NURSE - CHIEF NURSE ENDORSEMENT LETTER
Date

Dear [Title (First) Last Name:
I am writing to request your participation in a brief survey conducted by the
RAND Corporation, a non-profit, non-partisan policy research institution
headquartered in Santa Monica, California.
As you read tn the email from RAND, the Defense Authorization Act of 2009
authorizes the Secretary of Defense to conduct a demonstration project that
would encourage retired military nurses to serve as faculty at civilian nursing
schools. To help evaluate the potential success of this program, we wish to
understand what you think of such a program and to learn about your
background and factors that would be Important to you 8S a retired military nurse.
To do this, RAND has designed a web (or mail) survey that you could complete
(Date}
. It should
at a date/time convenient for you. but no later than
take about 15 minutes to complete.
",..

I hope that you will agree to participate in this important research and thank you
in advance for your time. You are the expert and are uniquely positioned to give
us your thoughts about the program design and merits. In the meantime, if you
have any questions or would like more information, please call the Survey
Coordinator, Ms. Rosa-Elena Garcia by phOne at 310-393-0411. ext. 6601 or by
email at rosaeg @rand.org.
Sincerely,

Chief Nurse Name

UT:tlum wltsa SOI\VEY

: ]
1. Between January 1, 2001 and your retirement from military service, how many
separate times were you deployed for at least 30 consecutive days?
MARK ONLY ONE
o times
1 t:.ime
CI 2 times
3 timea
4 times or more

o
o
o
o

2. How many total months were you deployed between January 1, 2001 and your
retirement from military service?
ENTER
OF MONTHS
Months

*

3. Did you have any enlisted service prior to receiving your commission as an
officer?
MARK om..'lONE
CI Yes

o

No"

If No, Go

1:0

Qu•• t:101l 5

4. At what year of service in your active duty military career did you becoro.e

an officer?

ENTER # OF YEARS

___ Years of service
5. Have you ever served in a primary occupation in the military other than
nursing?
MARK

om. Y

ONE

DYes

o

No"

rl ItO, Go to ""•• UOIl 1

6. How many years of military experience did you have in nursing?
ENTER 1+ OF YEARS

Years of service

7. Do you have a master's or doctorate degree?
MARK ONL'l ONE

Cl

Yes

o No"

rt

No, Go to Qu•• t.ioa 10 0.12 t .... Next: 'Age

1

8. What advanced degrees have you received?
MARK ALL THAT APPLY
[J Master's in Advanced Practice Nursing-Nurse Practitioner
[] Master's in Clinical Nurse Specialty or Clinical Nurse Leadership
CJ Master's in Nurse Anesthesia
[] Master's in Nurse Midwifery
[] Master's in Complementary or Alternative Medicine
CJ Master's in Health Informatics
[J Master's in Nursing Administration
CJ Master's in Health Admnistration
r.J Master's in Community Health/Public Health
[] Master's in Nursing Education or other Health Education
[J Master's in Business Administration or Public Administration
[J Doctorate (Ph.D., DNSc, DNP)
CJ Other, specify:
Don't Know

o
9,

Are you working at least part-time in your advanced nursing specialty?

MARK ONLY ONE

DYes
No

[J

10. How recently have you held a military or civilia.~ position in which you
provided direct patient care or supervised nurses who provided direct patient
care?
MARK ONLY ONE
I currently hold a position involving direct patient care or nurse
supervision
[J I had a position involving di~ect patient care or nurse supervision
within the last 2 years
[J
I had a position involving direct patient care or nurse supervision
2-5 years ago
CJ I have not had a position that involved direct patient care or
nurse supervision in more than S years

o

11. How recently have you held a military or civilian position in hospital or
clin!'c management (e.g., chief nurse, hospital commander or CEO, deputy
commander, other senior administrative position)?
MARK ONLY ONE

D

currently hold
I had a position
years
CJ I had a position
[J I have not had a
than 5 years

[J

I

a position in hospital or clinic management
in hospital or clinic management within the last 2

in hospital or clinic management 2-5 years ago
position in hospital or clinic management in more

2

12. Do you hold a current nursing license or certification from a State
Nursing Board?
!'lARK ONLY ONE

DYes

o

No

13. Do you hold a current certification from an accredited nursing
certification program?
MARK ONLY ONE

DYes

CJ

No

14.

Do you currently work for pay?

MARK ONLY ONE

DYes

o

No"

XL NO, Go to OU•• UOll lS oa tll• .-.xc "...

15. Thinking about your current employment, how many hours do you typically
work per week?
"".ARK ONLY ONE

C1

o
o

Less than 20 hours a week
20 to 34 hours a week
35 hours or more a week

16. 00 you work in a position that requires a nursing background?
:-!ARK ONLY ONE

CJ

Ves

C1

No"

:r~ 110, Go

to

gu••UOII

IS o.a th. . . . .t " . . .

Which type(s) of nursing position do you work in?

ALL THAT APPLY

[] Health care seccor but not in direct patient care (e.g.,

administration, consulting, health plan, research)
[]
Direct patient care (in a hospital or ambulatory setting)
PUblic Health
Teaching
Other (Specify: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

17.

Mk~K

o
o
o

3

18. What factors were important to you in deciding wheeher or noe to work in
nursing after your reti~ement from the military?
in

M1UtK ONLY ONE

TERMS OF
IMPORTANCE

Extremely
Important
1

a. General work
environment

•

~

2

3

4-

[J

Cl
0

[J

o

[J

b. Availability

CJ

CJ

Cl
Cl

live

c -\vailabili ty
:;ing

o

[J

[J

0

of nursing

positions near

where I plan to

Not
Important
5

CJ

)ns

" _, .:-iate to my

rain \9 and

-;':",,"01::

l.~ce

d:'siLu:y

-----·-----cr---------o------o----a------[j­

~fits

jrtunities
for a, '.rancement
g. OpportunitiQs
for serving a

p
',"ltion or

"'S1..:l I care

about.

- h • FI

ex-l.";"'!·b"""i;-:l-:-i ty

[J
[J
[J

0

0
0

CJ

[J

[J

[J
[J
[J

[J

0
[J

OT-----Er-·-----l:f"---------CJ-------O----·_-----O---._,
[J

o
o
CJ
o
[J
o
o
o
o

work schedule

L Availabili ty
of pare-time work

j _ Other

(specify:

Are you currently employed as an instructor or faculty member at an
institution offering a bachelor's or higher degree in nursing?

19.

MARK ONLY QlI.'E

DYes

o

No"

XI 110# Go to gu••dca 24 ca tb4t a.xc page

20. What kind of teaching are you involved in?
MARK ALL THAT APPLY
Didactic/classroom
Clinical setting

o
D

4

21. If you are teaching nursl~g students, what type of degrees are chey
pursuing?
MARK ALL THAT APPLY
CJ Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse
Cl Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate

o
o
o

22. How much are you paid in your primary teaching position?

PLEASE ENTER THE DOLLAR AMOu~T AND THE APPROPRIATE FREQUENCY/BASIS OF PAYMENT.

YOUR BEST GUESS IS FINE.

$_---

o
o

o
o
o

23. What type of

Per
Per
Per
Per
Per

course
month
term (quarter, semester)
academic year
calendar year

instr~ctor

or faculty position are you currently in?

MARK ONLY ONE

[J

o
o

Tenure track" Z~ ~w:w "rack,. Go to gu•• UOD 33
Full-time, non-tenure track" II rull tt.., Qo to Qu••tloo 33
Part-time" I~ part·tx.., Go to QuaetiOD 31

24. Have you previously taught as an instructor or faculty member in a formal
education or training program for medical personnel (e.g., associate degree
nurses, bachelors or graduate degree nurses, medical technicians, medics)?
MARK ONLY ONE

[J

[J

Yes
No"

rl 1/10, Go to ou..t.:tOD ~, o.a tb. . .I: 'liP

25. How many years ago was your most recent formal teaching experience?

MARX ONLY ONE

wi thin the last 2 years
[J 2-5 years ago
C] More than 5 years ago

o

26. Was your teaching experience in the military or a civilian program?

MARK ALL THAT APPLY

Military nurse education program

Cl Other mili~ary education program

Civilian nurse education program
Other civilian education program

o
o

o

5

27. Has your teaching experience involved classroom teaching?
MARK ONLY ONE

DYes
No

o

2B. What is the duration of the longest course you've taught?
MARK ONLY ONE
1 day

o
o 1 week
o More than 1 week
D

More than 1 month

29. Have you ever considered teaching as an inetructor or faculty
formal education or training program?

mew~er

in a

MARK ONLY ONE

DYes
No

o

30. Are there any nursing schools offering a Bachelor's degree in Nursing
(SSN) or higher in the area where you live (or where you will be living if you
just retired)?
MARK ONLY ONE
[J Yes
Cl No
[J Not sure

6

31. Congress has authorized DoD to conduct a demonstration program that would
provide a financial incentive to civilian nursing schools to hire retired
military nurses as full-time faculty and offer scholarships to BSN students
willing to serve as a military nurse after graduation. This is part of a
proposal that in the past has been called the Troops to Nurse Teachers
program.
How interested would you be in accepting a position to teach full-time during
the academic year in a nursing program (BSN or MSN degree program) if you were
offered a starting salary (excluding any opportunities to earn extra pay for
work during the summer months) of:
(Note to prog:nllllrner: revea 1 choi ces one a t a t ime i f the answer i 5 3 or lower.
Once they answer 2 or higher skIp to next

MARK ONLY ONE
TERMS OF YOUR

INTEREST
a. $50,000 for
the 9-month
academic year
h. $65,000 for
the 9-month
academic year
c. $80,000 for
the 9-month
academic year
d. $95,000 for
the 9-month
academic year

in

Extremely
Interested

~lestion)

4

II

Not
Interested

1

2

3

0

0

0

a

[J

0

0

0

[J

0

0

0

0

0

0

a

0

0

0

0

4

5

32. How interested would you be in pa~t-time teaching in a nursing program
(BSN or MSN degree program) even if this were ~ part of the TNT Program?

MARK ONLY ONE

o
o
o

o

be interested in part-time teaching
I might be interested in certain positions
r do not expect to have any interest in part-time teaching
Not sure
! WOuld very likely

7

33. What factors are
MARK ONLY ONE in
TERMS OF

IMPORTANCE

irr.porta.~t

Extremely
Import-ant

4

1

2

0

a.. Flexibili ty of
work schedule
b. Pay
c. Benefits
d. Collegiali ty
of the other
teachers
e. Opportunity to
help others enter
the nursing
profession
f. Opportunity to
recruit people
into military
nursing
g. Interacting
with the students
h. Opportunity to
learn more about
nursing theory
and practice
i. Avail abi l i ty
of part-time work
j. Other
(specify:

34.

to you in deciding whether or not to teach?

~
3

4

5

0
0

0

[J
[J

[J

[J

0

0

0
0
0
Cl

(]

0

lJ

Cl

0

D

0

0

[J

0

0

0

0

[J

0

0

0

0

D

Cl

0

0

0

0

Cl

0

0

Cl

Cl

0

0

0

0

0

a
[J

Are you planning to move to a new loca.tion in the next six months?

MARK ONLY ONE

D Y e s " I~ T••, go to Qu••UOD 35
No" I~ No, Go to ou•• eJ.cut 36

o

35. Where do you plan to reside after you move?
ENTER ZIP CODE'--_ _ _ or State

o

Not
Important

Not sure

36. Where do you currently reside?
ENTER ZIP C008._ _ __

8

37. What factors were important to you in deciding where you would live after
you retired from che military?
IIARK ONLY ONE in
TERMS OF
IMPORTANCE
a.Cost of living
(food, housing t
commuting)
b.Employrnent
opportunities in
nursing
c.Ernployrnent
opportunities in
another
profession
d.Spouse/partner
employment
opportunities
e.Spouse/partner
location
preference
i.Educational
opportunities
g.Cultural and
recreational
opportunities
h.proximity to
family or friends
i . Availability
of high quali ty
schools
j.proxirnity to
military base
k. Climate
I.Home town
m.Other
(specify:

Extremely
Important

~

III

Not Important
(Not
Applicable)

1

2

3

4

5

0

[J

D

D

0

0

[J

0

0

D

0

0

0

C1

[J

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

(J

0
0

0
D

Cl
0

IJ
D

0
[J

0
0

0
D

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
C1
0
0

0
0
0
0

D
0
0

D
D

0

0

0

38. What is your current marital status?
MARK ONLY ONE
CJ Married
0 Living with a partner
[J Single and not living with a partner

~

9

I~

[J

0
0
0

SjDtll., Go to Qu••t.iOl.l 41

39. Has your spouse or partner served in the military?
MARK ONLY ONE
[]
Yes, my spousel partner is currently on active duty .. Z~ r••, Go to
gue.c.f.on 4'
IJ Yes, my spouse/partner is currently on reserve duty
Yes, my spouse/partner is retired from the military
[] Yes, my spousel partner separated from military service before retir~~ent
Cl No, my spouse/partner has never served in the military

o

Questions 40-41 should be worded differently for those who plan to move sOOn
(If Yes, Q33 use:
Q40: -After you move, do you expect your spouse or partner
will work in a civilian job for pay?- and Q41: -After your move, how many
hours do you expect your spouse or partner will typically work in a week?';
otherwise, use the following for Q40 and Q41.

40. Does your spouse or partner currently work in a civilian job for pay?
MARK ONL'l ONE
IJ Yes
IJ No" I~ No, Qo to gu••t:1on U
41. Thinking about your spouse or partner's employment, how many hours does
he or she typically work per week?
MARK ONLY ONE
IJ Part Time, less than 20 hours a week
[J Part Time. 20 hours to 34 hours a week
C] Full time, 35 hours or more a week
42. How many dependent children wadel:' the .... of 18 are I iving in your
household?
MARK ONLY ONE
Cl None

Cl
Cl
[J
[J

One

Two
Three
More than three

10

43. What is your current, gross annual HOUSEHOLD income before taxes,
including your milicary retiremen~ pay?
J.'.ARK ONLY ONE
$75,000 or less
CJ $75,001 to $100,000
$100,001 to $125,000

o

o
o

o
CJ
CJ
CJ
D

$125,001 to $150,000
$150.001 to $175,000
$175,001;0 $200,000

$200,001 to $225,000
$225,001 to $250,000

$250,000 and higher

44. Do you think you would recommend military service to nurses just starting
their careers today?
MARK ONLY ONE

Cl

Definitely

[J

Definitely not

o Probably
o Probably not

11

RAND Troops to Nurse Teachers Program Survey

Thank you for completing this survey.
This survey Is part of an evaluation of a Congressional proposal to establish a
"Troops to Nurse Teachers" (TNT) program. The program includes assigning
active"duty nurses to teach at civilian nursing schools for two years and
encouraging retired military nurses to serve as faculty at civilian nursing schools.
RAND is conducting the evaluation, and we will evaluate whether a program like
this could help alleviate the nursing shortage In the military and increase the
number of qualified nurses Interested in teaching.
Participation is voluntary and you do not have to answer questions about any
topic you do not want to answer. You can also stop the survey at any time for
any reason. The survey should take you about 15 minutes to answer.
You should only fill out this survey if you are a retired from the military and were
sent an Invitation to participate. Do not complete this survey jf you are not retired
from the military.
Questions? You may contact the Project Survey Director Ms. Chau Pham by
phone at 310-393-0411 text. 7267 or by email at pham @rand.org.
To begin the survey, please enter your PASSWORD:

FIRST SCREEN BEFORE INSTRUCTIONS AND BEFORE SURVEY STARTS:

RAND will use the information you provide for research purposes only. We will
not disclose your identity or information that would identify you to anyone not
working on the survey without your permission except as required by law. Data
that cannot identify you may be used for other research purposes besides this
project. We will remove atlldentifying information from the survey at the end of
the study.
j

Prepared by:

RAND Corporation -1776 Main Street - PO Box 2138· Santa Monica, CA 90407·2138

Draft 8124109

Prepared by:

RAND Corporation -1776 Main Street· PO Box 2138· Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138

Draft 8124109

Initial Invitation Letter or Emaif
Subject: Retired Troops to Nurse Teachers Web Survey
Dear Title First Last Name:
At a time when nurses are critically needed to care for the wounded. the military
faces challenges in nurse recruiting and retention and must consider new
approaches.
The Defense Authorization Act for 2Q09 authorizes the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a demonstration project that would encourage retired military nurses to
serve as faculty at civilian nursing schools.
This project has been included in a proposal sometimes called the Troops to
Nurse Teachers program. The expectation is that more nursing students will
consider military service if their faculties include current and former military
nurses. Attached is the legislation in case you would like to leam about the
details of these proposed programs.
The ASSistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs is sponsoring a RAND
Corporation (RAND) study to evaluate whether a program such as this could help
alleviate the current military nurse shortage and, at the same, help nursing
schools attract additional qualified faculty members. The survey has been
endorsed by your Chief Nurse which you can find here: www.servicewebsitt.mll.
RAND is a non-profit, non-partlsan research instHutian headquartered in Santa
Monica, California.
As part of the study, we are asking retired miiitary nurses to complete a web
survey to learn about their military experience, nursing background, employment.
and about their thoughts about the TNT program. The survey wi!! take you about
15 minutes to complete. PartiCipation is voluntary and you do not have to answer
questions about any topic you do not want to answer. You can also stop the
survey at any time for any reason.
You can complete the survey on the Internet at: www.XXXX.com
Enter the Password: XXXX
RAND will use the information you provide for research purposes only. We will
not dIsclose your Identity or Information that would identity you to anyone not
working on the survey without your permission, except as required by law. Data
that cannot identify you may be used for other research purposes besides this
project. We will remove all identifying Information from the survey at the end of
the study.

If you have any questions about this study, you may contact the Project Survey
Coordinator, Ms. Rosa-Elena GarCia by phone at 310-393-0411 text. 6601 or by
email at rosaeg@ram~.ora. If you have any questions or concerns about your
rights as a research subject, please contact the Human Subjects Committee at
RAND, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90407, 310-393-0411 , ext 7173.
Thank you in advance for completing this survey.
Sincerefy,
The RAND Corporation

Reminder Letter or Email
Subject Line: REMINDER: Retired Troops to Nurse Teachers Web Survey
Dear Title First Last Name:
A few weeks ago we sent you an email invitation to partiCipate in a web survey
about your military experience, nursing background, retirement plans, teaching
experience, and potential interest in teaching upon retirement that will help
Congress evaluate the potential success of a program that would encourage
retired military nurses to serve as faculty at civilian nursing schools. The survey
is being conducted by the RAND Corporation. If you have already completed the
survey, thank you.
If you have not yet completed the survey, we encourage you to do so by Day,
Date. The Assistance Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs values your
answers and your opinions on their program. The web survey should take about
15 minutes to complete.
You can complete the survey on the Internet at: www.XXXX.com
Enter the Password: XXXX
If you have any questions, you may contact the Project Survey Coordinator, Ms.
Rosa~Elena Garcia by phone at 310-393-0411, ext. 6601 or by email at
rosaeg@rand.org.
Thank you in advance for participating in the survey.
Sincerely,
The RAND Corporation