TY - JOUR
T1 - Bridging training and practice gap
T2 - A mixed methods tracer study of bachelor of science in nursing graduates (2016–2020) at Kairuki University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
AU - Sariah, Adellah
AU - Nathanael, Minael
AU - Bugomola, Monica
AU - Sungwa, Edson
AU - Ndomondo, Mathew
AU - Mika, Elizabeth
AU - Haruna, Tausi
AU - Zenas, Joan
AU - Mbao, Ezekiel
AU - Semali, Innocent
AU - Mbekenga, Columba
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Sariah et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
PY - 2025/10
Y1 - 2025/10
N2 - Background Tracer studies evaluate the effectiveness of university training by assessing how graduates perform in the job market. This study focused on Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) graduates, aiming to describe their training experiences, application of acquired competencies, and overall stakeholder perceptions to inform BScN curriculum improvement. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-method design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data concurrently from 2016–2020 BScN graduates (February-May 2023). Graduates and other stakeholders (including educators, employers, and policymakers) in this study were selected from private, public, and faith-based hospitals and universities, colleges, and the Ministry of Health. Quantitative data were gathered via online structured questionnaires adapted and modified from the American International Health Alliance and the Technical Vocational Education and Training tools. Qualitative data were collected through interviews and focus groups with graduates, employers, educators, and policymakers. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis.
AB - Background Tracer studies evaluate the effectiveness of university training by assessing how graduates perform in the job market. This study focused on Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) graduates, aiming to describe their training experiences, application of acquired competencies, and overall stakeholder perceptions to inform BScN curriculum improvement. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-method design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data concurrently from 2016–2020 BScN graduates (February-May 2023). Graduates and other stakeholders (including educators, employers, and policymakers) in this study were selected from private, public, and faith-based hospitals and universities, colleges, and the Ministry of Health. Quantitative data were gathered via online structured questionnaires adapted and modified from the American International Health Alliance and the Technical Vocational Education and Training tools. Qualitative data were collected through interviews and focus groups with graduates, employers, educators, and policymakers. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105017716505
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0333702
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0333702
M3 - Article
C2 - 41042745
AN - SCOPUS:105017716505
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 20
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
IS - 10 October
M1 - e0333702
ER -