There was great variety in both levels of experience and education of the nursing staff All but three had
tertiary level post-basic nursing qualifications, three were currently studying towards graduate degrees and
one towards a certificate qualification. There was a direct association between this variable and participants’
experiences of autonomy within the new role. Increased education and experience were associated with
satisfaction and autonomy, yet at the same time dissatisfaction associated with a desire to utilise a broader
scope of practice, and a desire for a medical source of clinical advice and mentorship. The opposite was
observed for nurses with less education, training and experience