The reasons students choose to undertake a nursing degree

Student nurse retention. Lived experience of mature female students on a UK Bachelor of Nursing (Adult) programme: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

AIMS

To explore the lived experiences of mature female students undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing (Adult) programme in the UK, to gain insight into the challenges and barriers faced by students and investigate the factors that support students who have considered leaving, to stay and continue with their studies.

BACKGROUND

There is a global shortage of nurses and challenges exist in ensuring that enough nurses are available to provide care in the complex and rapidly changing care environments. Initiatives introduced to increase the number of Registered Nurses (RN), include increasing the number of students enrolled on pre-registration nursing programmes. However, the success of this intervention is contingent on the number of students who go on to complete their course.

DESIGN

This qualitative study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), which provided a methodological framework and analytical approach to enable an exploration of participants' individual and shared lived experiences.

METHODS

Eight female, mature students at the end of their second year of a Bachelor of Nursing (Adult) programme at a Higher Education Institution in South Wales participated in semi-structured, face-to-face interviews, which were analysed idiographically before group-level analysis was undertaken.

FINDINGS

The analysis revealed three superordinate themes: 'Ambition to become a Registered Nurse'; 'Jugging Roles' and 'Particular Support Needs for a Particular Student'.

CONCLUSION

Each student had a unique history, their past and present social and psychological experiences were multifaceted and complex. These differences resulted in varying degrees of resilience and motivations to continue their studies. These findings are important for ensuring that services develop and provide effective support to maximize retention and, ultimately, increase the number of students entering the RN workforce.

PATIENT OF PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

IMPACT STATEMENT

This research expands on current literature regarding the needs of mature female students, a growing student nurse demographic. Every student had a dynamic set of circumstances and demonstrated that the identification of 'at-risk' students, purely based on demographics or information on a Curriculum Vitae, is problematic and potentially futile. This knowledge could be used to tailor University support systems and inform curriculum development and support systems for maximizing student retention. These findings are important for ensuring that services continue to develop and provide effective support to maximize retention and completion and, ultimately, increase the number of students entering the Nursing and Midwifery Council register.

Motivations Driving Career Choices: Insights From a Study Among Nursing Students

Introduction

Globally, the nursing workforce is crucial to the functioning of healthcare systems. The alarming shortage of nursing staff necessitates careful consideration of the challenging aspects related to this issue to develop successful strategies for attracting and retaining nurses.

Objectives

This study aims to explore the motivational factors influencing the decision of students to choose a nursing career and the associated factors.

Methods

In this cross-sectional research, a questionnaire was administered to 308 students studying nursing at the Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques.

Results

The results of this study revealed several factors influencing the decision of nursing students to choose this profession. The desire to contribute to society and have a positive impact on individuals' lives was identified as the primary motivating factor. Economic considerations also played a significant role. Additionally, it was found that the educational level of parents is a factor influencing students' decisions.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of various factors in the decision-making process of nursing students. By considering these results, policymakers and healthcare professionals can create an environment conducive to attracting and retaining future nurses.

Preparing Compassionate Nurses: Infusing School Mission and Values in Undergraduate Education

ABSTRACT

In preparation for a curriculum revision, a cross-sectional, descriptive mixed-method research study sought to describe senior-level students' perspectives of Mercy and Jesuit faith-based tradition values integration in a pre-licensure BSN program. Integration of values was examined in both clinical settings and didactic classes. Students strongly articulated the importance of the school's values and mission to their future role as professional nurses. However, although value integration is occurring, greater attention to mission and values is needed in the clinical area.

Motivations and expectations of generation Z nursing students: A post-pandemic career choice qualitative analysis

BACKGROUND

The global nursing shortage is a growing concern so recruiting and retaining Generation Z (Gen Z) students is vital to the sustainability of the profession.

PURPOSE

To explore the perceptions and expectations of first-year nursing students regarding the nursing profession, its working conditions, and how these factors influenced their career choices.

METHOD

Descriptive qualitative research design, employing an interpretive research approach and content analysis conducted following Graneheim & Lundman's method. Our study involved 105 Generation Z nursing degree students enrolled in first year at the Mar Nursing School in Barcelona, Spain in 2021. Data collection included voluntary written narratives about their career choice and questionnaires of demographic information and their healthcare experiences.

RESULTS

It became evident that Generation Z students' perceptions and expectations of nursing don't align with the actual professional experience. This mismatch could lead to disillusionment and attrition among these students.

CONCLUSIONS

Several factors (economic, aspirational, perception of nursing during the COVID-19, or gender) influence new students' career choice. These factors shape their expectations and often do not match actual working conditions in nursing. Educational institutions must prepare students by transferring cross-cutting competencies to effectively meet these challenges and avoid potential dropout from the profession.

Secondary school Student's perspectives about nursing career and their motivations to become future nurses in Singida municipal: A qualitative study

AIM

To explore secondary school students' perspectives about nursing careers and their motivations to become future nurses.

DESIGN

Qualitative descriptive design.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted among secondary school students in Central Tanzania. Secondary school students who study science subjects and are eligible for nursing studies were selected from two schools. Two focus-group discussions, comprising seven and eight students per group, one in each school, were conducted. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Two themes with seven sub-themes emerged representing students' perspectives about nursing and the factors that motivate them to choose nursing as their future career. These themes are as follows: (1) Perspectives about a nurse and nursing, with five sub-themes: (i) nurses' roles; (ii) qualities of nurses; (iii) workplace for nurses; (iv) nature of the job; and (v) position of a nurse or nursing; and (2) Motivations to become future nurses, with two sub-themes: (i) extrinsic factors, and (ii) intrinsic factors.

Secondary Medical School Students’ Perceptions on Nursing in Kosovo

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the opinion of secondary medical school students in Kosovo about nursing. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted with 1282 secondary medical school students from four regions of Kosovo through random sampling. Data were collected from March to May 2018 by a questionnaire designed for this study from the researchers. It consisted of two sections, the sociodemographic part and the second part about opinion and perceptions about the nursing profession. Continuous variables are summarized as mean and standard deviation (SD), categorical variables are summarized as frequency (n) and percentages (%). Chi square (x2) test is used to analyze the difference between categorical variables Results: The family had a proactive impact on the choice of the study program for their child. More than half of the students had a favourable opinion of nursing prior to enrolling in secondary medical school. After enrolling in the study program, more than two-thirds of students (72.2%) have a favourable opinion of nursing. More than half of the students (52.6%) believe that the community perceives nursing positively. Conclusion: Most of the secondary school students have a positive opinion about nursing and think that community have a positive opinion as well. The secondary medical school plays an important role in the improvement of student’s opinion about nursing. Keywords: opinions, nurses, students, secondary schools, Kosovo

The Motivational Factors of Choosing Diagnostic Radiology as a Profession Among Saudi Radiography Students

PURPOSE

To identify factors influencing Saudi students to choose radiography as their academic major and future career field.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This study involved quantitative (online questionnaire) and qualitative (semi-structured interview) approaches. An online questionnaire was distributed among (n = 308) students. The questionnaire contained 30 questions covering the following three domains: economy, vocational and personal. A total of 25 individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposive sampling of radiography students in seven universities (public and private) across the western region of Saudi Arabia. Interview responses were coded, and main themes were extracted based on Miles and Huberman's framework.

RESULTS

The findings demonstrated that radiography was the first option as profession for 44% of the study participants. Several factors that study participants considered important were in the realm of patient care, helping patients, radiographer-patient relations, science-based profession, and the desire to work in the healthcare system. A few participants (14%) reported that they are planning to change their profession to another medical speciality. Four themes were identified from the interviews: 1) Profession decision-making, 2) changing career", 3) difficulties and challenges, and 4) recommended radiography as a profession.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study support the need to bridge the gap between high school, universities, and employment through a collaborative network to assist students in exploring their career path by providing sufficient information and experience.

Mental Wellbeing of Indonesian Students: Mean Comparison with UK Students and Relationships with Self-Compassion and Academic Engagement

The number of Indonesian students in higher education has been increasing rapidly. However, many Indonesian university students report experiencing mental distress. Research on student wellbeing found that self-compassion (i.e., being kind towards oneself in challenging times) and academic engagement (i.e., a commitment and purposeful effort toward study) are essential to students’ mental wellbeing. With the present study, we aimed to assess the mental wellbeing of Indonesian students. A convenience sample of 156 Indonesian students completed self-report measures on mental wellbeing, self-compassion and academic engagement (consisting of vigour, dedication and absorption). To contextualise their mental wellbeing, data from Indonesian students were compared with those from 145 UK students using Welch t-tests. Correlation, regression and mediation analyses were then performed to examine the relationships among these variables. Indonesian students had higher levels of self-compassion and absorption and a lower level of dedication than UK students. Self-compassion and academic engagement explained 36% of variance in mental wellbeing. Self-compassion and vigour were identified as significant predictors of mental wellbeing, whereas self-compassion was the strongest predictor. Lastly, vigour did not mediate the pathway from self-compassion to mental wellbeing. Interventions to support self-compassion and academic engagement, especially vigour, in Indonesian students are recommended to support their mental wellbeing.

Student’s Reasons of Choosing the Bachelor Study Program in Nursing

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify the reasons why students that attending nursing study program decide to choose this study program for their future. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on students at University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi” in Albania and University of Pristina “Hasan Prishtina,” in Kosovo, during October–November 2021. The students that participated attended the bachelor study program in nursing and program of professional master. Data collection was done using a questionnaire with closed and opened questions. Student’s opinions were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire. The survey was administered using the Google Forms® platform, performed in classroom and was anonymous. To analyze the sample, it was used the exact Fisher’s Test, Pearson’s correlation R and ꭓ² test. RESULTS: The study included 376 students which 259 from Albania and 117 from Kosovo. 335 were female and 41 males. 195 of students were from urban area and 181 from rural area. 130 students were at the 1st year of studies, 98 at the 2nd year, 100 of 3rd year, and 48 students attend professional master’s degree. About 66% of students have chosen nursing program because it is easy to find a job and 81.6% of students think that by choosing the nursing study program, they can make a career. About 82.2% of students have chosen the nursing study program because they can ensure a satisfactory economic level. More than 77% of students think that finding a job as a nurse is easy and for 75% of students nursing program has been the first choice. About 88.3% of students say they have chosen to continue their studies in nursing because they believe they can be employed after completing their studies in European Union countries. About 97.1% of students chose this program because they feel valuable in helping people with health needs. In our study, we have evidenced that 58.8% of all students would like to work in Germany. CONCLUSIONS: Students choose the bachelor study program in nursing mainly to be able to easily secure a job, for a career, to help people with health problems and to secure an employment in the countries of the European Union. The same reasons evidenced in two student’s group from two universities.

Factors Influencing Midwifery Students’ Decision to Choose the Midwifery Education Program in Albania

Background: Midwives, as an essential part of the healthcare professionals, make a necessary contribution to the healthcare system. They are in demand in developed countries and developing countries like Albania. Aim: This study was carried out to identify the main factors that influence the students’ decisions about choosing midwifery as their career. Methods: A quantitative descriptive research design was used to identify the motivating reasons for attending midwifery. This quantitative explorative study was born at the University of Shkodra, Albania, with the midwifery students in February – March 2022. One hundred seventeen voluntary students were included in the study. The data were collected online via a questionnaire prepared from the authors and analyzed with the SPSS software, using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) test. Results: It was found that five main domain factors influence students on choosing midwifery as a future career. “Extrinsic rewards of midwifery” and “Employment security over midwifery life” were considered more critical domains. The dominant issues included were about: security, economic welfare, career opportunities, transferring to nursing studies, and more possibilities to work as a midwife in other countries. Conclusions: The findings of this study provided valuable information regarding motivating factors that attract the new generation to join midwifery in Albania. Understanding why people choose to study midwifery may help managers and educators develop student-focused and enticing midwifery programs.

The role of wage beliefs in the decision to become a nurse

In light of skilled-labor shortage, the effect of a change in the wage of nurses on their labor supply is intensely discussed in recent literature. Using extensive data of German 14- to 15-year-olds, I analyze the role of the beliefs about a nurse's wage in the decision to become one. To estimate a partial effect, I select controls and their functional form using post-double-selection, which is a data-driven selection method based on regression shrinkage. Highlighting the importance of wages at the extensive margin of labor supply, the wage beliefs play a positive and statistically significant role. Although information is publicly available, educational choices knowingly suffer from misinformation. I find that especially those who do not become a nurse understate the wage. The results lead to two important policy implications. First, increasing the wage may help to overcome the shortage observed in many countries. Second, providing more information on the (relative) wage may be a successful strategy to attract more individuals into this profession. To assess the sensitivity of the results regarding omitted variable bias, I apply a novel approach. It turns out that potential unobserved confounders would have to be strong to overrule the conclusions.

Nursing students' competence profiles in gerontological nursing-A cross-sectional study

AIM

The study aimed to describe and explain the self-assessed gerontological nursing competence levels of Finnish nursing students and factors relating to it.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study design, reported by The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology guidelines.

METHODS

Data were collected with the GeroNursingCom instrument, which features 53 items relating to 11 competence factors. The K-clustering technique and the Chi-squared, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney tests were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and ninety-nine nursing students from nine randomly selected higher education institutions were invited to participate in 2019. Three distinct student profiles were identified according to the data (N = 274): Profile A-lower intermediate competence (23.1% of students), Profile B-intermediate competence (45.8%) and Profile C-high competence (31.1%). The strongest competence area for all students was appreciative encounter and interaction, and the weakest was supporting the older person's sexuality. Nursing students have diverse backgrounds and their overall competence in gerontological nursing is shaped in part by their previous education, motivations and work experience.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Recognizing students' different gerontological nursing competence profiles enables the implementation of targeted education to improve competence in clinical practice.

Career choice regret during COVID-19 among healthcare students and professionals in mainland China: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 epidemic affected the career choice of healthcare professionals and students. Career choice regret of healthcare professionals and students during COVID-19 outbreak and its affected factors are largely unexplored.

METHODS

Convenience sample of nurses, doctors, and medical students were recruited from hospitals and universities nationwide. The data collected including demographic information, professional value before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and career choice regret level by an online questionnaire. Multinominal logistic regression was employed to explore the factors associated with career choice regret.

RESULTS

In total, 9322 participants of convenience sampling were enrolled in, including 5786 nurses, 1664 doctors, and 1872 medical students. 6.7% participants had career choice regret. Multinominal logistic regression analysis showed, compared to participants with no regret, that as levels of psychological resilience increased, the odds of experiencing career choice regret decreased (OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.94-0.96), while participants with lower professional value evaluation after the COVID-19 outbreak had higher probability to experience career choice regret (OR = 1.55,95% CI 1.50-1.61). Medical students were more likely to regret than nurses (OR = 1.65,95% CI 1.20-2.28), participants whose career/major choice was not their personal ideal had higher risk of experience career choice regret (OR = 1.59,95% CI 1.29-1.96), while participants who were very afraid of the coronavirus had higher risk to experience career choice regret then participants with no fear at all (OR = 2.00,95% CI 1.24-3.21). As for the medical students, results indicated that medical students major in nursing and undergraduates had higher risk to experience career choice regret compared to medical students major in clinical medicine and postgraduate (Master or PhD), with an odds ratios of 2.65(95% CI 1.56-4.49) and 6.85 (95% CI 2.48-18.91)respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A minority of healthcare professionals and medical students regretted their career choices during the COVID-19 outbreak. Enhance personal psychological resilience and professional value would helpful to reduce career choice regret among healthcare professionals and students during pandemic.

Identifying and Ranking the Factors Affecting the Choice of Nursing Discipline Among Nursing Students in Iran: A Fuzzy Hierarchical Analysis

BACKGROUND

Choosing a career in nursing is frequently a complicated decision that is influenced by multiple factors.

PURPOSE

This study was designed to identify and rank the main factors that influence individuals to choose to pursue a career in nursing.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to identify the factors that people consider when making a choice to pursue a career in nursing. The face and content validities of these factors were evaluated. A sample of 250 participants was invited to assess the factors using exploratory factor analysis. Finally, the analytical hierarchy process, in combination with fuzzy logic, was used to rank the criteria and related factors.

RESULTS

Twenty factors were identified and extracted from 50 published studies. After confirming the face and content validity of each, these 20 factors were distinguished into four criteria, including (a) external motivation, (b) social dignity, (c) internal motivation, and (d) usefulness of discipline. Each criterion had an eigenvalue greater than 1. External motivation and usefulness of discipline were respectively identified as the most and least important criteria (38.60% vs. 16.11%) in terms of influencing individuals to pursue a nursing career.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The results of this study show that exposure to positive recommendations from family and friends, receiving positive information about studying nursing, positive perceptions regarding the general usefulness of nursing knowledge, and migration opportunities to other countries are the primary factors that influence individuals in Iran to pursue a career in nursing.

The relationship between empathy and altruistic motivations in nursing studies: a multi-method study

BACKGROUND

The efficient management of relational competences in healthcare professionals is crucial to ensuring that a patient's treatment and care process is conducted positively. Empathy is a major component of the relational skills expected of health professionals. Knowledge of undergraduate healthcare students' empathic abilities is important for educators in designing specific and efficient educational programmes aimed at supporting or enhancing such competences. In this study, we measured first-year undergraduate nursing students' attitudes towards professional empathy in clinical encounters. The students' motivations for entering nursing education were also evaluated. This study takes a multi-method approach based on the use of qualitative and quantitative tools to examine the association between students' positive attitudes towards the value of empathy in health professionals and their prosocial and altruistic motivations in choosing to engage in nursing studies.

METHODS

A multi-method study was performed with 77 first-year nursing students. The Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) - Health Professions Student Version was administered. Students' motivations for choosing nursing studies were detected through an open question and thematically analysed. Using explorative factor analysis and principal component analysis, a dimensional reduction was conducted to identify subjects with prosocial and altruistic motivations. Finally, linear models were tested to examine specific associations between motivation and empathy.

RESULTS

Seven distinct themes distinguishing internal and external motivational factors were identified through a thematic analysis of students' answers regarding their decision to enter a nursing degree course. Female students gained higher scores on the empathy scale than male ones. When students' age was considered, this difference was only observed for younger students, with young females' total scores being higher than young males'. High empathy scores were positively associated with altruistic motivational factors. A negative correlation was found between external motivational factors and the scores of the Compassionate Care subscale of the JSE.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowing the level of nursing students' empathy and their motivational factors for entering nursing studies is important for educators to implement training paths that enhance students' relational attitudes and skills and promote the positive motivational aspects that are central to this profession.

'Do nurses really do that'? An exploratory mixed methods study of Students' willingness to lead

BACKGROUND

Health care needs are changing, requiring nurses to assume leadership roles and engage in political activism to impact health system transformation. Nursing education socializes students to the profession, as this is where they begin to develop their professional identity. For these reasons' educators must begin to explore student perceptions of the role of the registered nurse given the emphasis on leadership and health care transformation and question if students want to assume these roles.

OBJECTIVES

To identify first- and fourth-year baccalaureate nursing student perceptions of the role of the nurse and analyze their willingness to participate in roles that embody leadership and political action.

DESIGN

An exploratory mixed method design.

SETTING

Two western Canadian four-year baccalaureate nursing programs.

PARTICIPANTS

First- and fourth-year students.

METHODS

This study utilized a survey to collect demographic data and broad student perceptions of the registered nurse role and career aspirations. Focus groups followed with a sub-set of participants to further explore student opinions about the role of nurses.

RESULTS

Similar perceptions and views of nursing exist among cohorts (first- and fourth-year students) and between Baccalaureate programs. Students continue to choose nursing as a career for altruistic reasons. Validation of their role is in the form of personal affirmation of a job well done from their patients. While there is acknowledgement among first- and fourth- year students that nurses should be leaders and influence the overall health care system, student responses indicated that the 'other guy' should do it, not them.

CONCLUSIONS

The results identify the need to develop and implement strategies to prepare future nurses who are interested and willing to participate in a career based on leadership, political action, and healthcare transformation.

From Learning on Mannequins to Practicing on Patients: Nursing Students' First-Time Experience of Clinical Placement in Jordan

Introduction

Although clinical nursing placement is an indispensable component of student nurses' education, data on students' first clinical experiences is scarce in developing countries.

Objectives

The study aim is to uncover nursing students' first-time clinical placement experience and identify related influencing factors in Jordan.

Methods: Focus group discussions (n=4) were used.

Results

The results showed that the transition from learning with mannequins to practicing on real patients in the clinical placement involved both effective learnings through hands-on practice to dealing with clinical challenges. Students perception of nursing ranged from positive comments such as “humanistic” and “nursing almost medicine” to negative images such as “nursing is all about bedside care” and “nursing has poor social status.”

Conclusion

Students' experience in their first clinical placement is multifaceted, and incorporation of student's perspective in the first clinical placement is a crucial component of educational planning.

What motivates people to commence a graduate entry nursing programme: a mixed method scoping review

Background

The global deficit of nurses demands urgent attention in the recruitment and education of this future workforce. Graduate entry nursing (GEN) programmes are one option for people with undergraduate degrees who are seeking nursing education. Determining the key motivations for enrolling in these programmes will support the development of new initiatives in the education sector to both recruit and retain this future workforce and inform future primary research. This scoping review aims to comprehensively describe what motivates graduates to enrol in GEN programmes.

Methods

Peer reviewed studies of quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method research investigating motivations to commence a graduate entry nursing programme were included, following a pre-determined protocol. Electronic databases searched included Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Emcare, ERIC, Medline and Scopus. Screening, data extraction and analysis was initially in duplicate and independent, then consensus reached. Qualitative and quantitative data was analysed and reported separately then combined thematically as a narrative synthesis in a convergent segregated approach. Reporting followed preferred reporting guidelines for scoping reviews.

Results

Of the 491 studies retrieved in July 2020, across the five databases and reference list search, six met the inclusion criteria. Four were qualitative studies, one mixed-methods, and one quantitative, respectively from Australia, USA, and New Zealand. Four themes of motivation were identified: 1) finding meaning and purpose through altruism and caring; 2) seeking a satisfying career, 3) looking for a change in direction and, 4) reduced financial burden due to course length and provision of scholarships.

Conclusions

There is a paucity of studies specifically seeking to investigate student motivations for enrolling in a GEN programme and only limited studies giving insights into motivators for enrolling in a GEN programme, therefore this scoping review contributes new understandings on the reason’s students choose GEN programmes. These are both altruistic and practical and include personal desires to help others, the need to pursue a satisfying and meaningful career and the shorter period out of the workforce offered by an accelerated programme of study.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12912-021-00564-9.

Factors Affecting Students’ Preference for Nursing Education and their Intent to Leave: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction:

Insufficient research has been conducted into the factors that prompt young students to select nursing education as a profession in Saudi Arabia.

Aim:

The aim of the study is to identify factors affecting students' preference for nursing education and their intent to leave.

Methods:

This study follows a descriptive cross-sectional research design, with data collected by adapting the Tan-Kuick questionnaire to measure second-year nursing students’ (n=162) preference for nursing education and intent to leave one academic institution in Saudi Arabia.

Results:

Nursing image is identified as the major factor influencing the nursing students’ preference for nursing education in Saudi Arabia (69.89 ± 16.49), and parents' image of nursing is identified as the factor with the least amount of influence (34.52 ± 22.04). Additionally, more than half of the nursing students surveyed report intending to leave the nursing profession. Regarding the reasons for their intent to leave, a total of 70% of the surveyed nursing students report having no interest in the nursing profession. Family disagreement and societal image are also identified as common prompts to leave nursing.

Conclusion:

The study recommends the use of media to enhance the image of the nursing profession through the presentation of role models that talk to the students and encourage and motivate them to engage in the working life of a nurse. In addition, the study suggests replicating the longitudinal study for the same group in their third and fourth year of study to see if they leave the nursing profession.

The Moral Distress of Nurses When Patients Forgo Treatment Because of Cost

Nursing must recognize an ethical obligation to respond on behalf of these patients.

Juggling employment and studies: Nursing students' perceptions of the influence of paid employment on their success

BACKGROUND

Undergraduate nursing students are participating in part-time employment to finance their way through their studies despite evidence that working while undertaking study negatively impacts on their academic performance.

METHOD

A mixed method research design was used to collect data for this study. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The survey was completed by 58 students enrolled in a three-year Bachelor of Nursing (BN) programme across two campuses at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

RESULTS

Findings from this study showed student nurses undertake part-time work to reduce financial hardship and avoid student debt. Students reported their employment whether it be in health care, retail or hospitality, provided them with skills to support their nursing studies. An important finding was irrespective of the number of hours worked, students reported their work impacted negatively on their academic success as it diminished the amount of time they had to study.

CONCLUSION

Although this is a small-scale study, the results provide valuable insight into nursing students' perceptions of the influence of paid employment on their academic success within the nursing programme. This research has national and international relevance given there is evidence that significant numbers of nursing students across many countries participate in part-time employment to reduce financial hardship and avoid excessive debt.

Who Wants To Be a Nurse? Understanding Emirati Female Students' Knowledge and Attitudes About Nursing as a Career

AIM

The aim of this study was to increase understanding of female high school students' intentions to pursue a nursing career. The objective is to explore theories on attitudinal research and propose a research model that examines the relationship between attitude, knowledge, and impact on intention to pursue a nursing career.

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of research on understanding the reasons for the shortage of local nurses in the United Arab Emirates.

METHOD

Data were collected from 157 female high school students. The research model was empirically tested using standard procedures.

RESULTS

Findings support some of the proposed direct and interactional effects. Attitude is a predictor of intention of high school students to pursue a nursing profession. The interaction effect of attitude and knowledge significantly predicts intention.

CONCLUSION

The study calls for further investigation on the effects of attitude and knowledge on students' intention to pursue a nursing career and bring about changes in thinking.

Effects of Academic Motivation on Clinical Practice-Related Post-Traumatic Growth among Nursing Students in South Korea: Mediating Effect of Resilience

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) refers to personal growth that occurs after experiencing challenges. For many nursing students, PTG could occur during their clinical practice. Academic motivation and resilience could help students to overcome these traumatic clinical experiences and possibly achieve PTG. This study examined the relationships between nursing students’ academic motivation and resilience leading to post-traumatic growth. A total of 291 nursing students from three South Korean nursing colleges participated in this cross-sectional study. Self-report questionnaire data were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, correlations, and hierarchical multiple linear regressions. Intrinsically motivated students’ PTG scores were significantly higher compared to extrinsically motivated students (t = 4.62, p < 0.001). Resilience scores showed similar results (t = 3.81, p < 0.001). Significant total, direct, and indirect effects of academic motivation on resilience and PTG were found. In addition, resilience mediated 40.9% of the relationship between academic motivation and PTG. Nursing students with intrinsic academic motivation were more likely to achieve high PTG scores, and resilience mediated the relationship between academic motivation and PTG. It is suggested that the importance of academic motivation must be considered in the early stages of university-level nursing education to increase retention rates of nursing students.

Nursing student's expectations for their future profession and motivating factors - A longitudinal descriptive study from Sweden

BACKGROUND

The shortage of registered nurses is a global concern. Motives to become registered nurses can be to help others, altruism, personal development and career security. Motives in combination with student expectations regarding the role are not explored.

OBJECTIVE

To describe students' motives to become registered nurses and their expectations regarding their future profession.

DESIGN

A longitudinal descriptive design with a qualitative approach was used to follow nursing students in the beginning, during and at the end of their education.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

A purposive sampling of a group with initially 75 students starting a three-year nursing program at a university in Sweden.

METHODS

A study specific questionnaire with open-ended questions was used in the beginning, during and the end of the students' education. At data collection two and three, a copy of the earlier answers was attached. Data were analysed using manifest and latent content analysis.

RESULTS

An important profession with career opportunities, interesting duties and team work were described. Students expected diversified duties, possibilities for development and work satisfaction. Increased concerns regarding their upcoming work life was described at the end of the education.

CONCLUSION

The students had a positive understanding of the profession and perceived their forthcoming role as interesting. The leading role of coordinating patient care was more comprehensive than expected. Supportive conditions and well planned transition periods could strengthen newly graduated nurses in their professional role and could be an important aspect in the future retention of RNs.

Television as a Career Motivator and Education Tool: A Final-Year Nursing Student Cohort Study

Fictional medical programs are often used for more than just their recreational enjoyment; they can also influence career decision making. Very little research has examined the pedagogical value of fictional medical programs in terms of their motivational value in the choice of a nursing career. As such, the aim of this study was to examine what motivated nursing students to choose nursing careers, if fictional medical programs were motivators, and if they are used by students as a learning tool. The cross-sectional study collected data using a questionnaire and occurred between April and June 2018. The findings were generated from students’ short answers and extended responses within the questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. A total of 291 students participated (82.6% response rate), with motivations for entering nursing being similar to other international studies; however, as motivators, fictional medical television programs were rated higher than job security. Overall, students engage with medical television programs along a television–learning continuum, ranging from limited watching time, recognising inaccuracies, understanding dialogue, through to using fictional medical television programs as tools for learning. However, this is dependent on time, interest, current level of understanding, and a program’s perceived value.

Experiences of auxiliary nursing trainees of poverty alleviation programme regarding nursing and nursing profession in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

Background

The Limpopo Department of Health and Social Development introduced a system to train children from poor families as auxiliary nurses as a poverty alleviation strategy in 2003. The programme targeted the needy families, those who depended on social grants, orphaned or child-headed families. The programme has been implemented for more than 10 years and the experiences of trainees were never explored.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of auxiliary nurse trainees of the poverty alleviation programme regarding nursing and the nursing profession.

Methods

A qualitative approach was used. Purposive sampling was used to sample 15 auxiliary nurses who were trained under poverty alleviation programme in four of the seven hospitals of Vhembe District. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews. One central question ‘As a beneficiary of poverty alleviation programme, could you describe your experiences of training as a nurse and of the nursing profession in this hospital’. Data were collected until no new information emerged. Note taking and a voice recording was performed to capture all the information reported by the participants. Open coding method was used to analyse data.

Results

Two themes emerged, namely experiences of being a nurse and about nursing as a profession, and interpersonal relationships between auxiliary nurses and the ward staff.

Conclusions

The Department of Health in Limpopo Province was commended and to be encouraged to develop other programmes as poverty alleviation strategy for other government departments, so that the affected children can have a wider career choice. The managers and supervisors in the wards to have moral and legal obligations to support initiatives that foster effective mentoring of neophyte nurses in the nursing profession.

Male nurses' views of gender in the nurse-family relationship in paediatric care

AIMS

(1) To learn how male nurses view and manage their relationships with families of hospitalized children, in contrast to how they view those established by female nurses. (2) To know if male nurses' relationships with families of hospitalized children are influenced by gender roles and stereotypes.

BACKGROUND

Relationships are essential in care. Prevailing gender stereotypes suggest that males have more difficulties with relationships than with technical aspects of nursing.

METHOD

Descriptive qualitative research in a public tertiary hospital September-December 2015. Participants were male nurses who worked in maternal and child health. Purposive sampling, based on criteria of homogeneity-regularity and heterogeneity-diversity. Semi-structured interviews and content analysis.

FINDINGS

Twelve male nurses participated. Two key themes emerged. (1) Establishment of professional-family relationship. Male nurses denied that male and female nurses established relationships with families differently, attributing any differences to personality rather than gender. (2) Management of relationships. Male nurses claimed that they set more limits on their relationships with families than female nurses.

DISCUSSION

Male nurses both disrupted and reproduced gendered stereotypes about relationships with families, revealing new models of masculinity.

CONCLUSION

Male nurses reject the stereotype that nursing is a women's profession, but they interpret their relationships with families in terms of gender roles and stereotypes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND NURSING POLICY

These findings contribute to understandings of the influence of gender stereotypes in nursing. They support the work of professional associations and labour unions in Spain and other countries to combat gender stereotypes and gender differences in nursing.

Campus Life Adaptation Scale for nursing undergraduates: Development and psychometric evaluation

BACKGROUND

As the number of studies about nursing students' adaptation to college life has increased, issues have surfaced regarding the validity of study results and the lack of valid and reliable instruments to measure nursing students' adaptation to college life.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To develop a valid and reliable instrument to measure nursing students' adaptation to college life in view of the educational demands.

STUDY DESIGN

A methodological study design was employed to develop and test the measurement.

SETTING

Participants were distributed over a range of grades, from freshmen to seniors in six universities in Korea.

PARTICIPANTS

Convenience sampling was performed with 813 students from six nursing schools in Korea. The mean age of the nursing students was 21.7 (±4.70), and females were in the majority at 89.2%.

METHODS

Factors affecting campus life adaptation of nursing undergraduates were extracted by conducting a literature review and analyzing the interviews performed. Reliability and content validity were studied. The authors utilized a cross-validation measurement model using EFA with the first half of the dataset and CFA on the second half of the dataset to show the fit statistics of the factors identified via EFA verification.

RESULTS

Analysis of 34 items revealed six factors accounting for 55.1% of the total variance. The factors identified included interpersonal relationships, satisfaction with one's major, ease of studying one's major, stress management, preparation for employment, and academic commitment. The six-factor measurement models exhibited good fit indices. The concurrent validity, known group comparison, and reliability were satisfactory.

CONCLUSION

This Campus Life Adaptation Scale will offer a framework upon which counseling and management strategies can be developed to help nursing students successfully adapt to campus life.

Self-reported motivation for choosing nursing studies: a self-determination theory perspective

BACKGROUND

The nursing shortage is of worldwide concern, with nursing student retention acknowledged as a priority. As a fundamental step towards exploring factors that can guide the implementation of strategic approaches to retain undergraduate nursing students and prevent their attrition, the aim of this study is to examine the motivation for choosing nursing studies of first-year nursing students within the theoretical framework of self-determination theory.

METHODS

We conducted a study at the Medical School of the University of Palermo. A total of 133 first-year nursing students completed a two-part questionnaire: a measure of socio-demographic aspects and an open question about their motivation for choosing nursing studies. Students' responses were analysed using thematic analysis. Dimensional analysis was performed in order to verify an organization along one dimension, in agreement with the differentiation of the autonomous and controlled types of motivation of self-determination theory. A person-centred approach was utilised to define motivational profiles able to characterize clusters of students according to both quality and quantity of motivation.

RESULTS

A set of 18 categories was developed. The factor analysis has shown that nursing students' motivations can be organized along one dimension, in alignment with the differentiation of the autonomous and controlled forms of motivation of self-determination theory. Through adoption of a person-centred approach, four motivational profiles were identified: a) students with good quality motivation profile (high autonomous and low controlled); b) students with poor quality motivation profile (low autonomous and high controlled); c) students with low quantity motivation profile (low autonomous and low controlled); d) students with low quantity and poor quality motivation profile (i.e. prevalence of controlled motivation).

CONCLUSIONS

Importance of this research includes the possibility to interpret nursing students' reasons within the theoretical framework of self-determination theory, a well-grounded model able to offer useful information to academic nursing schools, in order to promote effective strategies to foster and support student motivation.

Student perceptions, experiences and support within their current Bachelor of Nursing

BACKGROUND

This study was developed to assist academics and curriculum designers to understand the perspectives and expectations of students when designing a program of study and inclusive of students as partners. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing (BN).

SETTINGS, PARTICIPANTS, METHODS

The setting is a multi-campus university in Australia. Participants were currently enrolled and recruited from the Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Advanced and Bachelor of Nursing Graduate Entry. Semi-structured focus group interviews and thematic analysis was used to collect and analyse the data.

RESULTS

Three major themes were identified from the focus group interviews: 1. Expectations; 2. Interesting and stimulating; and 3. Preparedness for study and clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

Students held strong personal reasons for pursuing a nursing degree. The geographic location and international rankings were factors for choosing the university in this study. Student's perceptions and experiences of the curriculum and support identified that their BN program was interesting and adequately prepared them for clinical practice. Some areas for improvement were more detail during program orientation related to clinical practice requirements and more assistance with engaging with learning and teaching technologies.

Structure and Content of a New Entrance Exam to Select Undergraduate Nursing Students

Aim The aim of this study was to develop an evidence-based structure and content for the new nursing entrance examination. Background The purpose of the student selection process is to ensure that those admitted have the required aptitude, motivation and potential to successfully complete studies. Methods The literature reviews were collected using systematic searches in five electronic databases on the assessment of learning skills, social skills/ emotional intelligence and certainty of career choice of nursing applicants. Three focus group interviews (n = 26) were conducted. Data were analysed inductively. The structure and content of the entrance examination was formed by two data sets synthesis. Findings Nursing student selection should involve the assessment of five categories in learning skills, three in social skills and four categories in certainty of career choice. Conclusion Comprehensive assessment can ensure that those admitted are suitable for the profession and have the capability to succeed in their studies.

Northern Ghana final-year nurses' attitudes towards nursing and remaining post qualification

Background

Recruitment and retention concerns nursing globally, including Ghana, as the country attempts to meet health demands. A link exists between nursing students’ attitudes towards nursing and decisions to enter, remain in or withdraw from the profession.

Objectives

To describe northern Ghana final-year student nurses’ current attitudes towards nursing and remaining in nursing post qualification.

Method

Non-experimental quantitative descriptive design used convenient sampling targeting final third-year student nurses (n = 80) studying towards a Diploma in Registered General Nursing in a northern Ghana college (N = 220). Data were gathered using the attitude dimension of a self-administered questionnaire, developed by Al-Omar.

Results

The response rate was 87.5% (n = 70). Respondents were 20–30 years of age, more men and predominantly from urban areas. The mean attitude dimension score (range 10–50) was 35.41 (SD 4.03) with no skewness (0.37); mean of single-item question about intention to stay in nursing was 3.68 (SD 1.14) with negative skewness (-0.92). Male and urban respondents’ attitudes were more positive than those of female respondents. No association was found between attitude score and demographics or intention to stay in nursing, but significant association was found between gender and habitation and attitude categories. Medium positive correlation existed between intent to stay in nursing and attitude score. Pay, travel opportunities and nursing being a challenging career attracted unfavourable attitudes.

Conclusion

Ghanaian male student nurses’ attitudes are non-typical of general stereotypes held of nurses and gender, suggesting increased recruitment of male nurses. Demographic variables hold a small amount of value in the development of attitudes in Ghanaian nurses.

Dreams and disappointments regarding nursing: Student nurses' reasons for attrition and retention. A qualitative study design

BACKGROUND

In the Netherlands, hundreds of students register annually for a nursing programme, but not all of these students manage to complete their training.

OBJECTIVE

The main aim of this study was to examine which factors affect student nurses' decision to leave or complete their programme.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The study used an exploratory descriptive design, employing a qualitative phenomenological approach.

SAMPLE

Student nurses (n=17) at the beginning of their third year of the four-year Bachelor's programme.

DATA COLLECTION

Data were collected at four Universities of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, from December 2013 to January 2014. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data, using an interview guide.

RESULTS

The main reasons for students to become nurses were the caring aspect, personal experiences with healthcare, role models in their immediate environment, and job opportunities. They had both altruistic and professional perceptions of their profession. Reasons for attrition were strongly related to the training programme and to their clinical placements, in particular the perceived lack of support from mentors and team. Feelings of being welcomed and working in a nice team proved to be more important reasons for completing the programme than the specific clinical field.

CONCLUSIONS

Student nurses started their studies with many dreams, such as caring for people and having the opportunity to deliver excellent nursing care. When their expectations were not met, their dreams became disappointments which caused them to consider stopping and even to leave (attrition). The role of lecturers and mentors seems invaluable in protecting and guiding students through their programme and placements. Optimal cooperation between lecturers and mentors is of paramount importance to retain student nurses in their training programmes.

Professional values and career choice of nursing students

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Professional values are abstract and general behavioral principles that provide basic standards to judge aims and actions, and these principles are formed by strong emotional loyalty of members of the profession. Research was conducted to compare the career choice and professional values of nursing students at two universities in the upper Midwest of the United States and in the middle of Turkey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A descriptive and comparative design was used. The participants of the study were comprised nursing students from a university in the upper Midwest of United States and a university in the middle of Turkey. The sample consisted of 728 students in all grades. Data were collected by a questionnaire, The Nurses Professional Values Scale-Revised and Vocational Choices in Entering Nursing Scale. Number, percentage distribution, mean, standard deviation, t test, and one-way variance analysis were used in the analysis of data. Ethical considerations: Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Commission. Informed consent was received from the students.

RESULTS

The students' mean age for American students was 24.3 ± 5.6 years, while the mean age for Turkish students was 19.8 ± 1.7 years. Mean score of American students on The Vocational Congruency (a subgroup of the Vocational Choices in Entering Nursing Scale) was 38.5 ± 5.9 and Turkish students was 29.6 ± 8.9 (p < 0.05). Mean score of American students on The Nurses Professional Values Scale-Revised was 109.2 ± 12.3 and that of Turkish students was 101.6 ± 17.0.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that the majority of nursing students had high professional values, and when students' scores were compared, American students had higher professional values, and in career choice, they considered primarily fitness of the profession to themselves and their goals, while Turkish students primarily thought of their living conditions.

Graduate entry nurses' initial perspectives on nursing: Content analysis of open-ended survey questions

BACKGROUND

Graduate entry nursing courses offer individuals with prior degrees the opportunity to gain nursing qualifications and facilitate career change. While it is known that accelerated graduate entry courses are increasingly popular, the perceptions of nursing held by such individuals and the influence this has on those seeking to enter the profession are less clearly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To explore graduate entry nursing students' perceptions of nursing on entering their pre-registration course.

DESIGN

A descriptive design utilising cross-section survey with two open-ended questions: What do you believe the role of the nurse is? What things have influenced that view? were asked. Demographic data were analysed using descriptive frequencies, while the two open-ended questions were analysed using summative content analysis.

SETTING

One university-based postgraduate graduate entry nursing course in Australia PARTICIPANTS: Eight cohorts (n=286) commencing students with prior degrees other than nursing.

RESULTS

The course attracts students from diverse backgrounds. Exposure to nursing and nurses, either as a consumer of health care or other health care role, plays a primary role in influencing career change. However, similar to those found with school leavers, there remains much misinformation about nurses' roles for students in these courses. Most identify the role of caring in nursing. For some, media representations are the only information sources.

DISCUSSION

Graduate entry courses offer opportunities to attract new nurses and contribute to addressing workforce shortages. However, there is still a lack of knowledge of nursing roles among students on entry. More work is required by the profession to ensure nursing is accurately and positively represented to the community.

Nursing students' changing orientation and attitudes towards nursing during education: A two year longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that nursing students' perceptions of nursing change over time. Little research has been undertaken in the Netherlands of students entering nursing programmes and of how they progress.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to explore whether nursing students' orientation and attitudes towards nursing changed over time, when these changes occurred, and what factors influenced the changes. We also aimed to identify the factors which prompted them to consider leaving their programmes, and what factors affected their motivation to stay.

DESIGN

The study used a longitudinal quantitative design.

PARTICIPANTS

Questionnaires were administered to all students enrolled in a Bachelor's of Nursing programme at four nursing universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands (n=1414). The data for this study were collected during the first two years of the programme, from September 2011 to June 2013. A total of 123 respondents completed the survey each year and this group was used to examine changes over time.

METHODS

At four time intervals respondents completed a survey consisting of 1) the Nursing Orientation Tool, 2) the Nursing Attitude Questionnaire and 3) background characteristics. Non-parametric tests were used to explore changes in factor scores over time.

RESULTS

The results showed an improvement in the students' orientation and attitudes towards knowledge, skills and the professional roles of nurses, while empathic behaviour decreased over time. Although the changes showed non-linear patterns over time, the results showed clear effects between the different time points. The reasons for attrition (24%) proved to be related both to problems with the educational programme and to personal problems. An important motivator for students to stay in the course was their passionate desire to become nurses, suggesting that the positive aspects of a nursing career dominated the problems they encountered.

CONCLUSIONS

Tutors and mentors should pay more attention to the individual perceptions and problems of first and second-year students, both in the classroom and during clinical placements. Knowledge of the students' perceptions from the very beginning could be vital to study success.

Choice and perception of the nursing profession from the perspective of Polish nursing students: a focus group study

BACKGROUND

Although previous quantitative studies provide important information on the factors which influence the choice of nursing as a career, qualitative analysis makes it possible to study the subject more thoroughly. The purpose of this study was to conduct an in-depth analysis of the reasons why Polish students choose nursing as a profession and their later perception of the job based on experiences acquired during the nursing course.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive study was designed. We organized 8 focus group discussions with third-year nursing students. A total of 76 students participated in the study.

RESULTS

Several reasons why students had chosen the nursing profession were identified: desire to help others, family tradition, desire to work abroad, failure to get into another course, pure chance, and low admission requirements (relative to medical studies). The participants' views of the nursing profession were based on their own personal experiences or observations of nurses at work. Often these observations were superficial, concerning only selected fragments of nursing work. The participants also identified reasons for there being low regard for the nursing profession.

CONCLUSION

The decision about choosing nursing is mainly determined by practical aspects, e.g., the opportunity for employment. Although young people are aware of the low prestige of the nursing profession in Poland, they believe it is possible to improve its image and enhance its prestige.