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

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.

Development and psychometric testing of the perception of nursing profession instrument

BACKGROUND

Perceptions of the nursing profession influence career choices in nursing. An unrealistic perception might lead students to drop out of nursing education programmes. Objective measurement of the nursing applicants' perceptions at the student selection stage could enhance their career choices in nursing.

AIM

To develop and psychometrically evaluate the Perception of Nursing Profession Instrument (PNPI).

DESIGN

Mixed method design.

METHOD

Two versions of the PNPI were developed during the years 2016-2022. The first version was based on documents describing the nursing profession and the second version was based on an integrative literature review, a focus groups study and a document analysis of descriptions of the nursing profession. The meta-ethnographic approach was used to synthesize the results and form a theoretical framework for developing the PNPI (60 items). Item content validity was evaluated by an expert panel of nurses (n = 7). The psychometric properties of the instrument were analysed using the item response theory approach.

RESULTS

The development process resulted in the 40-item PNPI with the following subscales: the content of nursing work, the career in nursing, the nature of nursing work and the characteristics of a nurse. The psychometric analysis revealed unidimensionality and goodness of fit to the partial credit model; however, the item difficulty was not well matched with the participants' abilities.

CONCLUSION

The PNPI is a novel instrument for objectively measuring perceptions of the nursing profession. For further development, item difficulty must be enhanced to improve the measurement accuracy of the nursing applicants' perceptions of the nursing profession.

IMPACT

Perceptions of the nursing profession influence career choices, but there is a lack of objective assessment instruments that can be used in nursing student selection setting to measure the perception. The results of this study offer an instrument to measure perception, while also suggesting ideas for further development.

The Social and Professional Image of the Nurse: Results of an Online Snowball Sampling Survey among the General Population in the Post-Pandemic Period

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed people's lifestyles by imposing social, economic, and labor changes. Health professionals have been in the spotlight, occasionally even elevated to the status of "heroes", as they have been at the forefront of the health emergency. Media exposure has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in the evolution and perception of the public's image of nurses, especially within the Italian context. Currently, there is only one study conducted in Italy during the pandemic period. For this reason, we have opted to delve further into this subject during the post-pandemic period, with the ultimate goal of identifying this perceptual evolution. Methods. An online snowball sampling survey was conducted among the Italian population using social networks between August 2022 and January 2023. The survey utilized the Nursing Attitude Questionnaire (NAQ) to collect data. Results. The sample consisted of 564 individuals. Among the respondents, 63.8% (n = 360) were familiar with the nursing pathway, and the level of agreement regarding the training of nurses was 81.5% (n = 260). In terms of recognizing the professional role of nurses, variations emerged in certain domains of the NAQ. Specifically, professional values of nurses were more pronounced in northern and central Italy (M = 26.27). Moreover, stereotypes were more prevalent in the north (23.73 ± 3.538) and the center (23.13 ± 4.104) (p = 0.001). Conclusions. The sample acknowledged a unique competence inherent to nurses that cannot be replaced by other professionals. The study population perceives the nursing profession as pivotal within the IHS (Integrated Health System). However, the attractiveness of the profession remains exceedingly low. This study was not registered on a publicly available registry.

Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of motivation for nursing student scale (MNSS): A quantitative and cross-sectional design

BACKGROUND

Academic motivation is the psychological factor that promotes learning activities. The persistence of learning activities in nursing education is directly influenced by academic motivation. However, there are currently no specialist instruments for nursing students in China.

OBJECTIVE

To translate the Motivation for nursing student scale (MNSS) into Chinese and evaluate its validity and reliability among nursing students in China.

DESIGN

A quantitative and cross-sectional design.

SETTING

The survey was conducted at a medical university in Jinzhou, China between March and May 2022.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 688 Chinese nursing students were surveyed by questionnaire in this study.

METHOD

The Chinese version of MNSS adopted Brislin's transition model and conducted expert consultations to validate the facial validity and testing of the transition version. Reliability and validity were tested using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and internal consistency reliability.

RESULTS

Nursing experts confirm the high content validity of the Chinese version of the 20-item scale. An exploratory factorial analysis revealed a four-factor solution, with a total variance of 64.1% and confirmatory factor analysis results showed a satisfactory fit (χ2/df=2.738, RMSEA =0.073, SRMR = 0.0719, CFI = 0.914, IFI = 0.915, NFI =0.872, RFI =0.849,). Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the scale was 0.869, and the split-half reliability is 0.727.

CONCLUSION

The Chinese version of MNSS has satisfactory reliability and validity and is a reliable instrument to assess the academic motivation of Chinese nursing students.

Attitudes and perceptions of undergraduate nursing students towards the nursing profession

BACKGROUND

Nursing students either possess positive or negative attitudes and perceptions about the nursing profession. Their attitudes towards the profession depict the quality of care they will offer to patients upon qualification. This study aimed to determine the attitudes and perceptions of undergraduate nursing students towards their profession.

METHODS

This equal-status mixed methods study involved a census sample of 165 nursing students from year one to year four in two public universities in Uganda. Attitude Scale for Nursing Profession was used to collect quantitative data in the period between 20/11/2021 and 22/01/2022. Focus group discussions were held to collect qualitative data about the perceptions.

RESULTS

Majority of the students (81.8%) had positive attitudes towards the nursing profession. There was a significant difference in attitudes based on year of study and entry scheme (R2 = 0.12, F = 2.21, p = 0.01). Nursing was perceived as a poorly remunerated, unpopular profession with bias towards recruitment of lower cadres.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed that the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards the nursing profession were positive but their perceptions about the nursing profession were negative. An interventional study is recommended to facilitate a more positive change among nursing students.

Effectiveness of health communication courses on professionalism and social media competence among nursing students: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The shaping and cultivation of professionalism of nursing students is very important for the improvement and retention of nursing workers' quality. In the context of social media, it is challenging for nursing students to use social media for health education. Health communication course has the potential to cultivate professionalism and social media competence of nursing students, but its role still needs to be explored.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of health communication course intervention on improving the professionalism and social media competence of nursing students.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

The recruited nursing students were randomly divided into the intervention group (N = 50) and the control group (N = 51). The control group received routine nursing education. Intervention group received routine nursing education and health communication education courses. Both groups were required to submit a health communication work on any topic. The Nursing Professionalism Scale、Social Media Self-efficacy Scale and Social Media Experience Scale were used to evaluate the professionalism and social media competence of nursing students. The primary analysis used linear mixed models and followed the intention-to-treat principle.

RESULTS

The professionalism, social media self-efficacy and social media experience of students in the two groups were significantly improved, and the improvement of nursing students in the intervention group was higher than that in the control group. After the intervention of health communication course, there were significant differences in professionalism (p < 0.001), social media self-efficacy (p = 0.006) and social media experience (p = 0.013) between the two groups. Social media self-efficacy have an effect on professionalism (ꞵ = 0.22, p < 0.001, 95 % CI 0.17-0.26).

CONCLUSION

The health communication course significantly improved social media competence and professionalism, which was significantly different from the control group, revealing the educational value of the intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2200058425.

Reasons for choosing and completing nursing studies among incoming and outgoing students: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

The shortage of nurses is causing instability and crisis in health systems and will continue. The WHO reinforced the importance of recruiting and retaining new students. Authors of various studies recommend the need to identify and understand the reasons for pursuing a nursing degree.

OBJECTIVES

To determine students' preference for nursing studies and to identify the reasons for choosing, continuing, and completing a bachelor's degree in nursing.

DESIGN

Qualitative, descriptive study.

PARTICIPANTS

106 nursing students at the University of Huelva (Spain) participated during their first year (2017) and final year (2021) of the nursing degree.

METHODS

This study was conducted with the same group of students in two phases. Data were collected in writing in a document with open-ended questions and no maximum wordcount. The responses were analysed using content analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 76.4 % of participants stated that nursing had been their first choice. The main reasons for choosing a nursing degree were associated with fulfilment, and a desire to help others and interact with them. The reasons for completing their studies were primarily related to an interest in providing professional care, showing a deeper and more concrete knowledge of nursing care work.

CONCLUSION

For most participants, nursing was their first choice due to a strong intrinsic motivation related to self-satisfaction in helping others. The reasons for completing this degree had extrinsic motivations linked to nursing activity in hospital. Areas such as management, teaching, or research were not interesting to our students. Knowing the causes of this lack of interest could help us attract them to these areas.

Perceptions of being a registered nurse (PRN): development and validation of a survey tool

BACKGROUND

Nursing students enter nursing programs with idealistic perceptions of what it is to be a nurse. Upon graduation, many find these perceptions mismatched with the actual nurse's role. This can lead to discontentment in their chosen career. These issues highlight the importance of nursing students developing an understanding of the nurse's role during their undergraduate nursing education. One way to accomplish this is to assess perceptions and address them accordingly during the nursing program. Survey tools assessing perceptions of nursing exist but lack contemporary and multicultural foci.

AIM

To develop a feasible, valid, and reliable survey tool to identify nursing students' perceptions of being a nurse.

DESIGN/METHODS

In Phase 1, a literature review and Nominal Group Technique meetings were used to generate primary survey items. Phase 2 included a pre-pilot and online pilot testing of the Perceptions of being a Registered Nurse (PRN) survey tool with 797 nursing students across all year levels at three Australian Universities.

RESULTS

The 34-item PRN survey tool uses a five-point Likert scale to measure nursing students' perceptions of nursing, including factors influencing a nurse's well-being, attributes and qualities of nurses, the role of the nurse, and nursing professionalism. The Item-Content validity index was high (> 0.78), and the inter-item correlation validity was identified by Pearson's product-moment coefficient of r = .712. Internal reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha = 0.83. Based upon the participation completion rate, the survey tool was deemed applicable and feasible. The majority of respondents believed that nurses have altruistic attributes; however, perceptions of nursing varied significantly when rating factors influencing the physical, emotional, and social well-being of a nurse. In later stages of training, respondents were more likely to agree that nursing is physically and emotionally demanding and that nurses experience social isolation due to shift work, finding it difficult to achieve a work-life balance.

CONCLUSIONS

The PRN survey tool was found to be valid, reliable, and feasible. Future use and outcomes from PRN assessments may lead to changes to nursing curricula that enhance nursing students' perceptions of nursing.

Nurses' and nursing students' reasons for entering the profession: content analysis of open-ended questions

BACKGROUND

Global nursing shortages require effective recruitment strategies and understanding of individuals' motivations to enter the profession. These can be complex and bound by numerous factors such as gender and culture. While much research around this has been conducted, little has been undertaken in non-Western cultures where motivations could be different.

AIM

To explore Indonesian nurses' and nursing students' motivations for entering the nursing profession.

DESIGN

Online survey with closed and open-ended questions drawn from two different studies. This paper reports findings from one similar open-ended question.

METHODS

As part of two larger surveys, nurses from 13 hospitals across one private health care group and nursing students with clinical experienced enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program in Indonesia were asked the question, Why do you want to be a nurse? Responses were translated into English and back-translated into Indonesian prior to being subjected to summative content analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 1351 nurses and 400 students provided responses to the question, representing 98.72% and 99.70% respectively of those completing the survey. Both groups were primarily influenced by desire to serve others and God, personal calling and influence of family members and others. Nurses identified a desire to work in the health field and with the sick, in a noble and caring profession.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses and nursing students were motivated by traditional perspectives on nursing. These should be considered in future recruitment activities. However, more research is needed to understand how these factors influence career choice.

Iranian nursing applicants' perception of the nursing profession: A qualitative study

AIM

This study was conducted to describe the perceptions of nursing applicants about their chosen profession and to explore the factors which influenced their understanding.

DESIGN

A qualitative study with a conventional content analysis design.

METHODS

Participants were 19 nursing applicants enrolling in nursing schools in three provinces of western Iran. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. The content analysis of the interviews was done according to the steps proposed by Zhang and Wildemuth.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 20 years (SD = 2.5), and 11 of them (57.9%) were females. Participants understood the nature of nursing work to encompass only a limited level of independence; they viewed it as a feminine profession, and as a job with spiritual rewards. The perceived content of nursing work included providing help and patient care in the hospital with a focus on performing procedural tasks. Applicants' perceptions of nurses' characteristics included strong physical endurance, communication skills, emotional strength and low intellectual skills. The professional status of nursing was perceived simultaneously as having high job security but limited potential for career advancement and professional growth. The factors reported to influence applicants' perceptions were related to the media, academic-career counsellors, personal factors, and family and friends.

Influence of Professional Values on Attitudes towards Professional Ethics in Future Physical Therapy Professionals

This study aimed to analyze the influence of professional values on attitudes towards professional ethics, as well as the influence of sociodemographic variables on attitudes and professional values in future physical therapy professionals. A total of 231 physical therapy students (53% women; mean age 22.30 (SD = 5.13 years; age range 18-49)) participated. Attitudes towards professional ethics (Attitudes Questionnaire towards Professional Ethics in Physical Therapy) and professional values (Axiological Estimation of Professional Values Questionnaire) were analyzed. Linear regressions were conducted to examine: (i) the statistical prediction of attitudes as a dependent variable, with professional values as independent variables; (ii) whether sociodemographic variables had a relationship with attitudes or professional values. Professional values explained 6.5% of the variance of attitudes towards professional ethics (F(1,230) = 16.08, p < 0.001)). In regard to sociodemographic characteristics, age explained 3% of the variance of attitudes (F(1,230) = 7.11, p < 0.01) and presence of relatives in healthcare explained 1.9% of the variance in professional values (F(1,230) = 4.35, p < 0.05)). These results suggest that an increased awareness of professional values is essential to maximizing the attitudes towards professional ethics in future physical therapy professionals in order to improve their future daily clinical practices.

The empathy level and caring behaviors perceptions of nursing students: A cross-sectional and correlational study

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to investigate the empathy level and caring behaviors perceptions of nursing students.

METHOD

This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 276 nursing students.

RESULTS

The mean Empathic Tendency Scale score was 62.71 ± 5.10 (min. 20 to max. 100), indicating a low level of empathy. The mean of the Caring Assessment Questionnaire was 5.42 ± 0.80 (min. 1 to max. 7), showing a good perception of caring behaviors. There was a positive, low, and significant relationship between empathy and caring behaviors (r = 0.286, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that nursing students have low-level empathy and high-level caring behaviors.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Throughout the educational process, the students' caring competencies, which include empathy and caring behaviors, developed. It is suggested that humanistic and value-oriented pedagogical approaches be incorporated into nursing curricula.

Perception of nursing students from the Middle East about caring: A descriptive, comparative, cross-sectional study

AIM

To investigate the perception of undergraduate nursing students in different countries in the Middle East about caring.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, descriptive, comparative design.

METHODS

A total of 1,582 nursing students from six different countries in the Middle East completed the Caring Dimensions Inventory.

RESULTS

The total mean score of caring was 138.8 (± 15.8), indicating a high level of caring. The highest mean score was for nursing students from Egypt (M = 145.37 ± 15.97), whereas the lowest was for nursing students from Palestine (M = 135.36 ± 13.48). The caring perception was more significant for female students than male students, and no significant correlation was found between students' ages and caring scores.

CONCLUSIONS

The high level of caring among nursing students reflects the involvement of caring behaviour in the nursing curricula, which motivates nursing schools to continue stressing the importance of caring and to enhance this behaviour among their graduates.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Improving the students' caring competencies as recommended by the study will influence the caregiving quality in the future that will be reflected in nurse-patient caring relationships and raise the patients' and public satisfaction with nursing care.

Are internship experiences during a pandemic related to students' commitment to nursing education? A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The predominate role of internships on the retention of nursing students highlights the need to monitor internship experiences during a healthcare crisis like CoViD-19.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the relation between internships experiences during a pandemic and student nurses' commitment or intention-to-leave the nursing program; as well as the relation between internship experiences and commitment or intention-to-leave the nursing program.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A cross-sectional study using a sample of 1.079 nursing students from18 nursing schools in Flanders, Belgium. Students from all study years were eligible to participate.

METHODS

Online self-reporting survey during the first CoViD-19 wave (April-May 2020). Regression analyses were used to explore the association with students' commitment or intention-to-leave.

RESULTS

Students reported high levels of study commitment (4.06; SD 0.66; range 1-5), and an overall low intention-to-leave (1.64; SD 0.83; range 1-5). No difference in commitment or intention-to-leave were seen between students who did or did not had internship experience during CoViD-19 period. Need-supportive experiences - indicating that students felt competent, related to the team, and could be themselves on internship - coincided with high commitment. Conversely, need-frustrating experiences - indicating that students felt insecure, unrelated, and controlled by the nursing team - increased intention-to-leave nursing education. Students who felt pressured for an internship during the first wave of the CoViD-19 crisis, had more doubts to continue nursing education, and an increased chance on drop-out.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend nursing schools to assess student's motivation when making a substantiated decision concerning internships during a health crisis, as facing an imposed or subjective mandatory decision to go into clinical practice might lead to less commitment to the study program. For both teacher and staff mentors it is deemed important to discuss the internship climate with the student, in order to early identify need-frustrating issues during internship.

Evaluation index system of education quality for nursing professional degree postgraduate using the analytic hierarchy process

ABSTRACT

Nursing is an inseparable job with the healthy life of human beings. High-level nursing talents have a greater influence on patients. It is the future trend for schools to train Nursing Professional Degree Postgraduate, and the evaluation of their education quality is the top priority.To construct the education quality evaluation index system of Nursing Professional Degree Postgraduate and to determine the weight of each indicator.Firstly, the indicators of the evaluation index system of education quality were identified from the literature review. Meanwhile, the Delphi questionnaire was designed and 13 experts evaluated and rated the indictors who were invited to conduct two rounds of the questionnaire. The weights associated with the factors were determined using the analytic hierarchy process and percentage methods, Finally, we developed the evaluation index system of education quality for a postgraduate nursing professional degree.The evaluation system consisted of 4 first-level indicators, 17 second-level indicators, and 71 third-level indicators. According to the weights computed by analytic hierarchy process, first-level indicators are ranked as "Input quality" (0.1273), "Process quality" (0.3111), "Output quality" (0.0846), "Development quality" (0.4770). Among the secondary indicators, experts pay the most attention to career development (0.3180). The top three indicators of third-level indicators are workplace (0.2385), matching degree between personal expectations and job opportunities (0.1272), and promotion opportunities (0.0795).The quality index system of nursing postgraduate education is scientific and reliable, and the weight distribution is reasonable. It is an effective tool for evaluating the quality of nursing graduate education.

The Moderating Role of Empathy Profiles in the Relationship Between Knowledge About Aging and Attitudes Toward Older Adults Among Nursing Students

Knowledge about aging (KA) and empathy affect nursing students' attitudes toward older adults. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon from an integrated, person-centered perspective. The purposes of the present study were (1) to identify empathy profiles based on the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) among Chinese nursing students and (2) to explore whether these latent empathy profiles moderate the association between KA and attitudes toward older people. A cross-sectional survey design was used, and a battery of questionnaires - including those on demographic information, the Chinese version of Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz (C-FAQ), the Chinese version of Kogan's Attitude Toward Older People Scale (C-KAOP), and the IRI - was filled in by 622 Chinese nursing students (M age 21.76; SD = 1.33). The mean total scores on KAOP and C-FAQ were 164.96 ± 18.32 and 10.436 ± 3.015, respectively, indicating relatively positive attitudes toward older people but low KA among Chinese nursing students. Latent profile analysis was used to identify a three-profile solution characterized by distinct levels of four dimensions of empathy, namely average empathy (AE, n = 399), high empathy (HE, n = 42), and low empathy (LE, n = 181). Subsequent linear regression analysis revealed that the LE rather than the HE profile predicted positive attitudes toward older adults. It is worth noting that the LE profile played a remarkable moderating role in associations between KA and negative attitudes toward older adults after controlling for covariant variables. Both the identification of distinct empathy profiles and the interplay between the LE profile and KA are of significance in reducing negative attitudes toward older adults among Chinese nursing students. Nursing educators should combine improving nursing students' levels of KA and fostering greater empathy to reduce negative attitudes toward older adults. Such training should give priority to nursing students with LE.

The governmentality of nursing professionalization in advanced liberal societies

In Western countries, the occupational discipline of nursing is undergoing processes of professionalization. Although professionalization offers an appealing perspective on occupational advancement, it is an ambiguous process, especially in the context of ongoing reforms of advanced liberal states. More specifically, there is a confusing relationship between the professionalization of nursing and the state. This relation is underexamined in theories of nursing professionalization. Instead of seeing the state and professions as two distinct spheres, this article highlights their interconnectedness. It argues that nursing professionalization can be understood as a strategy of advanced liberal governmentality. Through an empirical analysis of the professionalization of Dutch nursing from a Foucauldian perspective, it shows how the appeal to ‘professionalism’ functions as a disciplinary mechanism that produces forms of advanced liberal ‘(bio)power’. This generates academic and practical questions, since nurses—the largest group of healthcare professionals—have distinctive relations with their patients, who regard them as ‘independent’ and ‘caring experts’. Furthermore, it sheds light on the academic debate about the reconfiguration of professionalism by showing how certain ‘professional’ reconfigurations are not only unavoidable but unavoidably (bio)political as well.

Professional Values in a Sample of Nursing Students from Different Countries

AIM

This study aimed to determine the professional values of nursing students from different countries.

METHODS

This descriptive study was conducted with a convenience sample of nursing students from different countries. The data were collected using an identification form and the Nurses’ Professional Values Scale–Revised. A total of 305 nursing students from Turkey, Tanzania, and Spain were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

In this study, the mean nursing professional values scores were 113.5±12.8, 105.8±16.0, 107.9±8.4 for Turkey, Tanzania, and Spain, respectively (minimum–maximum: 44–130). There were no statistically significant differences between the Turkish and the Spanish students’ professional value scores, but the Turkish students’ scores were higher than the Tanzanian students.

CONCLUSION

The factors affecting the level of professional values of students for each country were different. For educators, it is important to develop teaching strategies to empower professional values. Understanding cultural differences can guide professional values and universal ethics in nursing practice, education, and research.

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.

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 nurses' career motivation toward gerontological nursing: A longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

The intensity of student nurses' motivation toward a certain career can influence their behaviors for career choice and decision making. However, little is known about the career motivation among student nurses toward gerontological nursing and their influencing factors.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to examine student nurses' career motivation toward gerontological nursing and to explore potential predictors using Bandura's reciprocal determinism.

DESIGN

A longitudinal design was used in this study.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 305 student nurses were recruited from six hospitals in Shandong province, and they completed the questionnaires over three stages.

METHODS

Student nurses' career motivation toward gerontological nursing, geriatrics attitudes, aging anxiety, empathy, and clinical practice environment were measured using the motivation questionnaire, the Geriatrics Attitudes Scale, the Anxiety about Aging Scale, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and the clinical practice environment questionnaire, respectively. Measurements were performed at the first month, fourth month, and seventh month of student nurses' clinical practice. A series of Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and generalized estimating equations were applied to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Among 305 student nurses, the mean scores for career motivation toward gerontological nursing over three stages were 66.11 (SD = 8.98), 67.55 (SD = 8.53) and 66.78 (SD = 9.51), sequentially. There were significant differences in scores for career motivation over time (P < 0.05) and the lowest score was observed at the first month. Geriatric attitudes, aging anxiety, empathy, clinical practice environment and stage of clinical practice were notable predictors of student nurses' career motivation toward gerontological nursing.

CONCLUSIONS

Student nurses' career motivation toward gerontological nursing needs to be improved, especially at the first month of clinical practice. Targeted interventions should cultivate positive geriatric attitudes, relieve anxiety about aging, promote empathy, and enrich the clinical practice environment to improve student nurses' career motivation toward gerontological nursing.

The impact of employees’ values on role engagement

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the manner in which employees’ experience of distributive justice (DJ) moderates the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic values on role engagement (RE). RE is especially important in the healthcare setting (examined here) due to the sector’s complexity, changeability and emotionally challenging nature.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected from a survey of employees from a large government health district in Southeast Queensland (Australia), this study examined the determinants of RE among a group of employees working across three hospital locations.

Findings

The focus of the study was on the impact, both directly and in combination, of espoused extrinsic and intrinsic values and perceived DJ on RE. The authors identify strong direct effects from DJ on RE, and complex third-order effects for the combinations of intrinsic (IM) and extrinsic motivation and DJ in predicting RE.

Research limitations/implications

As a cross-sectional and attitudinal survey, care must be taken in relation to common-method variance. Post hoc controls were performed in relation to this.

Practical implications

DJ is important for all, and is a powerful motivator for engagement of employees reporting highly on IM. There is evidence that the most engaged employees are not those most motivated by extrinsic rewards alone, although employees who are motivated primarily by extrinsic rewards alone can be highly engaged when they experience high levels of DJ.

Social implications

For managers seeking to engage their employees, an understanding of the different motivators for intrinsically vs extrinsically inclined employees is important. Taken together, these results suggest that employee RE is driven by a complex set of factors that differ between employees. Managing this complexity is an important consideration for managers.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study to show these interaction effects using these measures. The healthcare context, generally under researched, also features in this study.

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.