What factors influence Hong Kong school students in their choice of a career in nursing?

The Effects on the Profession Choice of Nursing Students of the Reflectons of Nurses Working in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Obejective: The aim of the study is determine the effects of working of nurses in the COVID-19 pandemic process, with a reflections on the visual and written media, on the choices of nursing profession of nursing students. Methods: The sample of this descriptive study consists of 80 first-year nursing students from Kocaeli University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Nursing, who accepted to participate in the study in the 2020-2021 academic year. “Nursing Student Personal Information Form”, “Nursing Image Scale (NIS)” and “Scale of Vocational Choice in Nursing (SVCN)” were used to collect the research data. Results: The Median and Q1-Q3 SVCN score of the nursing students was found to be 91.5, (73.5-118). Professional fitness sub-dimension median and Q1-Q3 score was 63.5, (49-82) and vital causes sub-dimension median and Q1-Q3 score was determined as 27.5, (19,5-34,5). NIS median and Q1-Q3 score 73.0, (68-76), general appearance sub-dimension median and Q1-Q3 score was 15.0, (14-16), communication sub-dimension median and Q1-Q3 score was 16.0, (14-17), professional and physical qualities sub-dimension median and Q1-Q3 score were found to be 42.0, (40-43). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the median scores of the professional and physical qualities sub-dimension of those affecting the choice of profession were found to be significantly lower (p=0.033). Conclusion: It was concluded that the first-year nursing students' thoughts about the nursing impression were positive and they chose nursing willingly and the media reflections of nurses during the pandemic process increased their sense of helping people.

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

Comparison of Academic Motivation between Business and Healthcare Students in Online Learning: A Concurrent Nested Mixed-Method Study

While the demand for online education and the diversity of online students have been increasing worldwide, how online students motivate themselves to continuously engage in learning remains to be appraised. Research in the face-to-face contexts reports that academic motivation is central to student success and wellbeing, and the type of motivation can differ by subject. In particular, the motivation of business students and healthcare students can differ considerably. This study aimed to understand the motivation of online students, and compare them between business and healthcare students using a concurrent nested mixed-method design with correlation and thematic analyses. A survey regarding motivation, learning enjoyment, and study willingness was responded to by 120 online students (61 business and 59 healthcare). Business students were associated with extrinsic motivation, whereas healthcare students were associated with intrinsic motivation. While students in both groups enjoyed the pursuit of knowledge, healthcare students valued the process and accomplishment, whereas business students regarded education as steppingstones in their careers. Findings can help educators develop effective motivational support for these student groups.

Assessing Medical Students' Confidence towards Provision of Palliative Care: A Cross-Sectional Study

Under a surging demand for palliative care, medical students generally still show a lack of confidence in the provision in abroad studies. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the confidence and its association with knowledge, attitude and exposure on providing palliative care among medical undergraduates with a self-administered questionnaire to improve the international phenomenon. Full-time local medical undergraduates were recruited to obtain information regarding the demographics, confidence, knowledge, attitude and exposure on palliative care; the information was collected from July 2020 to October 2020. Questions on confidence (10-items), knowledge (20-items), attitude (10-items) and exposure were referenced from validated indexes and designed from literature review. Confidence level was categorized into “Confident” and “Non-confident” as suggested by studies to facilitate data analysis and comparison. Of the 303 participants, 59.4% were “Non-confident” (95% C.I.: 53.8% to 65.0%) in providing palliative care on average. Among medical students, knowledge (p = 0.010) and attitude (p = 0.003) are significantly positively associated with the confidence to provide palliative care, while exposure to death of family/friends (p = 0.024) is negatively associated. This study begins an investigation on the research area in Hong Kong primarily. The confidence of local medical students should be enhanced to provide palliative care in their future. It thus highlights the importance of the medical curriculum and provides insights to remove barriers responsively to improve the overall confidence and the quality of palliative care.

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.

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.

Does student orientation improve nursing image and positively influence the enrolment of nursing students in the University? An observational study

Background and aim of the study:

Nursing has not yet received full social recognition and in general the public opinion does not have a completely positive perception of it, which regards it as an auxiliary profession to the medical profession. This study aims to investigate the image of the nurse among year 4 and 5 high school students.

Methods:

Two groups of students were interviewed, one at their institution without any previous orientation (n = 102) and one at the University of Bologna during orientation day (n = 388). A validated questionnaire (Nursing Attitude Questionnaire) of 30 items was delivered. Two additional questions were added to explore the possibility of advising relatives and acquaintances to become a nurse and therefore to choose the nursing degree course.

Results:

All areas of the NAQ scored significantly higher in the group where students attended the orientation day, especially the ones related to the professional role, stereotypes and professional value items. Female students ≥ 21 had a more positive image of the nurse. Both groups recognized that nurses are important figures for patients and that they are intelligent people, who must have a degree in order to carry out their work duties. Differences between the groups were recorded. Students in group 1 did not accept nursing autonomy while students in group 2 understood differences between nursing and medical careers, attributing to them the same value. A positive correlation between the positive image of the nursing profession and the interest in becoming nurses or advising others to undertake the nursing course was found. In conclusion, orientation is effective in helping high school students in the choice of their university courses. Regarding nursing, strategies to improve the image of the nurse and enrollment should be combined during orientation day with current up to date communication and learning tools, such as social media and simulation laboratories. Furthermore, it appears increasingly important to extend orientation and tutoring activities to junior high school students, families and teachers. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Challenging stereotypes: A glimpse into nursing's difficulty recruiting African Americans

BACKGROUND

A racially diverse registered nurse workforce could improve health outcomes for minority populations, and efforts to recruit students from underrepresented groups need to be strengthened.

PURPOSE

To explore the perceptions of nursing held by African American undergraduate non-nursing science majors within the context of their career ideals.

METHOD

Qualitative description was the research design utilized in this study. A purposive sample of 20 African American non-nursing science majors participated in semi-structured interviews. Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña's (2014) coding processes for qualitative analysis were employed.

RESULTS

Three themes were identified that described career behavior, ideals, and the participants' perceptions of nursing as a career: 1.) Career Development: Internal and External Contributions, 2.) The Ideal Career: Profession with Power, and 3.) Perception of Nursing: A Limited Profession. Findings suggest African American science majors carry a significant burden to overcome stereotypes for themselves and their communities, thus desire careers with power and autonomy.

CONCLUSION

Careers in medicine were idealized whereas careers in nursing were devalued. These college students often embraced careers in medicine due to, in part, the perceived ability to overcome stereotypes and simultaneously rejected nursing careers due to desire to avoid negatively stereotyped careers.

Validation of a Career Guidance Brochure for Student Nurses Using the Nominal Group Technique

Background:

Nursing is a career which, especially for male students, requires one making an informed choice prior to pursuing it. A mixed-method, qualitative study, investigating the professional socialization process of male student nurses in Malawi found that most students did not make an informed choice regarding their selected career. This resulted in some of them facing many challenges which compromised their academic performance, and in some cases, contributed to high attrition rates. An “unmet need” for career guidance was identified by the study participants. Further, the study participants made recommendations on the need to address the unmet need for career guidance. A brochure entitled “A career in nursing and midwifery in Malawi” was designed. This article reports on the validation of the brochure.

Objective:

The goal of the study was to validate the brochure utilising the Nominal Group Technique.

Methods:

The validation exercise was part of the mixed method study. Five steps of the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) were utilised, as expounded by Vigra-Atkins, aimed at evaluating the content contained in the brochure. Study participants in four nursing colleges (n = 37) participated by studying the draft brochure and identifying strong and weak areas for improvements. Responses were ranked based on group consensus.

Findings:

A total of five groups were involved in NGT discussions. Four of the five groups found the brochure relevant and motivating to prospective students. However, two groups suggested that pictures needed to be more gender sensitive.

Conclusion:

Through the NGT, the brochure was commended by the majority of the participants as being clear and relevant in terms of giving information necessary for a nursing career choice. Finally, the authors recommend the use of the NGT compared to other group-based research techniques, considering the benefits the NGT offers.

Career choice and perceptions of nursing among healthcare students in higher educational institutions

BACKGROUND

Due to the ageing population and competition from other healthcare courses, a greater demand in the healthcare workforce has made it challenging for educational institutions to attract school leavers to enter nursing courses. Understanding the considerations of students who have chosen non-nursing healthcare courses and their perceptions of nursing can help identify specific strategies to enhance the attractiveness of nursing course. This study aims to examine the differences between healthcare career choices and perceptions of nursing as a career choice among first-year non-nursing healthcare students.

METHOD

A descriptive survey design was conducted at the beginning of the healthcare courses of seven healthcare groups and from four higher educational institutions in Singapore. A total of 451 students responded, yielding an overall response rate of 52.7%. The online survey was administered using a valid and reliable 35-item parallel scale, known as the Healthcare Career Choice and Nursing Career Choice.

RESULTS

The participants perceived prior healthcare exposure as the most influential factor and self-efficacy as the least influential factor when choosing nursing as a career. In comparison to their own healthcare career choices, nursing was perceived to have greater gender stigma and, as nurses, they would be less likely to achieve higher qualifications and career advancements, and they would be less likely to enjoy fulfilling careers. They also perceived that they would be less likely to gain their parents' support to pursue nursing and to make their parents proud.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides educators and policy-makers with vital information to develop key strategies to improve nursing enrolment in educational institutions. These strategies include early exposure to nursing as a rewarding career during school years, addressing the issue of gender stigma, and promoting information on the career and educational advancement of a registered nurse to parents of school leavers.

The reasons students choose to undertake a nursing degree

BACKGROUND

Determining the reasons people choose to study nursing may help educators and managers develop student-focussed and enticing nursing programmes. In Australia, little research has been undertaken with students entering nursing programmes and the reasons for their choice.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine why new students choose to enter nursing at university.

DESIGN

A descriptive survey design.

SETTING

An urban university in Sydney, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Undergraduate nursing students at the beginning of their first year of study.

METHOD

An open-ended question relating to the reasons for students' choice of a nursing programme was included in the survey. The transcribed textual data were content analysed for words related to the students' choice.

RESULTS

The students' reasons for entering nursing programmes were both personal and career related, with personal being more dominant. The reasons to start nursing were: being able to help and care for people, job security, the ability to enter tertiary education and the enjoyment or love of nursing.

CONCLUSIONS

Nursing remains a career of choice for young and mature students entering university. It is seen to provide security, interest and opportunity to help and care for others. Universities must focus on this as they develop programmes for a generation where multiple changes of career appear inevitable during their lifetime. The nursing profession needs to look at career pathways after graduation that provide these challenges within nursing itself.

Factors behind job preferences of Peruvian medical, nursing and midwifery students: a qualitative study focused on rural deployment

BACKGROUND

Deployment of health workforce in rural areas is critical to reach universal health coverage. Students' perceptions towards practice in rural areas likely influence their later choice of a rural post. We aimed at exploring perceptions of students from health professions about career choice, job expectations, motivations and potential incentives to work in a rural area.

METHODS

In-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted among medical, nursing and midwifery students from universities of two Peruvian cities (Ica and Ayacucho). Themes for assessment and analysis included career choice, job expectations, motivations and incentives, according to a background theory a priori built for the study purpose.

RESULTS

Preference for urban jobs was already established at this undergraduate level. Solidarity, better income expectations, professional and personal recognition, early life experience and family models influenced career choice. Students also expressed altruism, willingness to choose a rural job after graduation and potential responsiveness to incentives for practising in rural areas, which emerged more frequent from the discourse of nursing and midwifery students and from all students of rural origin. Medical students expressed expectations to work in large urban hospitals offering higher salaries. They showed higher personal, professional and family welfare expectations. Participants consistently favoured both financial and non-financial incentives.

CONCLUSIONS

Nursing and midwifery students showed a higher disposition to work in rural areas than medical doctors, which was more evident in students of rural origin. Our results may be useful to improve targeting and selection of undergraduate students, to stimulate the inclination of students to choose a rural job upon graduation and to reorient school programmes towards the production of socially committed health professionals. Policymakers may also consider using our results when planning and implementing interventions to improve rural deployment of health professionals.

Factors influencing the choice of a nursing or a non-nursing degree: a multicenter, cross-sectional study

Current literature has paid increasing attention to the factors influencing career decisions; nevertheless, few studies have compared candidates that have chosen a nursing versus a non-nursing degree. A multicenter, cross-sectional study design was performed to explore whether or not certain individual variables and having inaccurate data about nursing as a profession influenced the choice of a non-nursing degree. Six non-nursing and three nursing degree programs offered by two public Italian universities were involved. A total of 507 students who had just enrolled in non-nursing degree programs and 202 in nursing degree programs were invited to complete a questionnaire comprising 12 closed items. Overall, from 40.0% to 57.1% of the variation in choosing a degree other than nursing was explained by variables such as age, and having inaccurate data on the nursing profession. For each year over 19 years of age, the likelihood that the student would decide to enroll in a nursing degree program increases. For each wrong answer reported on the questionnaire evaluating knowledge on nursing profession, there was a reduction of approximately six times in the likelihood that the student would enroll in a nursing degree program. Information regarding the nursing profession should be offered in early stages of life; in addition, offering accurate data on the profession is a key factor in evaluating the congruence of the career with the individual's personal motivations, aspirations, and talents.

Motivational journey of Iranian bachelor of nursing students during clinical education: a grounded theory study

This study explored how nursing students can be kept motivated throughout their clinical education. Motivation is a key issue in nursing clinical education for student retention. The study was conducted using grounded theory methods, which are appropriate when studying process in a social context. Sixteen students and four instructors, who were purposefully selected, participated in semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Students' motivational journey occurred in three steps: (i) social condition; (ii) encountering the clinical education challenges; and (iii) looking for an escape from nursing, or simply tolerating nursing. Struggling with professional identity emerged as the core variable. Iran's social context and many other conditions in the clinical education setting affect students' motivation. Identifying motivational process might assist educational authorities in offering solutions to promote motivation among students.

Measuring the qualities of nurses: development and testing of the Qualities of Nurses Scale

AIM

This paper reports on the creation, development and testing of a new instrument to measure qualities of nurses, known as the Qualities of Nurses (QON) scale, applicable to student nurses.

BACKGROUND

High attrition rates within nursing programs and during early postgraduate years are an international phenomena. Mismatches between idealized perceptions of nursing and the realities of education and clinical experiences have been identified as contributing factors.

METHOD

A survey method was used to elicit responses to scale items from 678 first-year nursing students at a large university.

RESULTS

A one-factor 12-item solution explaining 47 percent of variance in the construct was demonstrated.

CONCLUSION

The QON can assist in the initial assessment and ongoing monitoring of changes in students' perceptions of nurses. Using the QON, researchers and educators can identify initial student nurses' perceptions and any changes associated in educational or other events that ultimately could be manipulated to reduce attrition.

A study identifying the difficulties healthcare students have in their role as a healthcare student when they are also an informal carer

There is a growing body of literature concerning the needs of informal carers, however, there is little relating to the needs of carers who are also university students. There are a number of publications concerning the difficulties university studies may cause and in particular the stress that some healthcare students endures when they undertake clinical placements. Being an informal carer has the potential to aggravate any difficulties students may have in the normal course of their studies. The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences and needs of healthcare students who are also informal carers. An electronic survey (February 2010) of 3567 students identified 36 students who are also informal carers. Most were female, pre-registration nursing students, studying full-time and who cared for their physically disabled children, chronically ill parents or terminally ill grandparents. Most respondents spent over 6h a day on informal caring responsibilities. The majority said informal caring had a negative impact on their studies. An in-depth interview study was undertaken (April 2010) with ten students. Data themes identified in the analysis were; descriptions of being an informal carer, impact of caring on studying, sources of support and hidden lives. In the theme 'hidden lives' students highlighted that they did not want university staff to know that they were informal carers as they did not want 'special' treatment. It was theorised that this could be due to the stigmatisation sometimes attached to being a carer. The value of the study was that it was found that more targeted information about student support services is needed, to help students successfully complete their studies. This would be beneficial for universities too as students who leave early without successfully completing their programme have financial implications.

What predicts the selection of nursing as a career choice in 5th and 6th year school students?

Demand for nursing care, and nurses, is growing in the United Kingdom given an increasingly ageing patient population with long-term co-morbidities. An ageing nursing workforce and fewer school leavers entering nursing are key barriers to student nurse recruitment. This paper aims to identify the socio-demographic and correlates nursing as a career choice in 5th and 6th year school students. This cross-sectional descriptive study gathered self-administered questionnaires from a total cohort of 5th and 6th year school students (n=1059) in one educational authority in Scotland. A response rate of 100% was achieved, with 702 students expressing a career choice. Some 71.7% (n=503) of students providing a full data set would never consider nursing, even if they obtained poor grades. Only 28.3% (n=199) would ever consider nursing. Students cited nursing as a career choice if they were female, of average to below average academic ability/achievement, expressed a positive attitude to nursing as a degree subject which was shared by their career guidance teacher. Each additional higher reduced the likelihood of nursing as a career choice by 22%. Nursing is an unpopular career choice amongst school students. Strategies are required to improve the occupational image of nursing in secondary education.

Who enters nursing schools and why do they choose nursing? A comparison with female non-nursing students using longitudinal data

Understanding who enters nursing schools and why they choose nursing is essential for the nursing profession to recruit and retain their successors. This study was conducted to examine the characteristics of nursing students and factors influencing their career decision, as compared with non-nursing students. We used public databases of the Korean Education & Employment Panel that followed 4000 high school students in their final year of school. Out of those students, 2456 students entered a college or university and 40 students (39 females and one male) entered a nursing school. Nursing students were compared with 1011 female non-nursing students. Nursing students had lower household income. Nursing students had better high school academic achievement overall and in science. A more studious attitude and lower absenteeism were found among nursing students. For nursing students, employability (55%) followed by aptitude (20%) were the most influential factors in choosing a nursing major, while conversely, aptitude (48%) followed by employability (23%) were most important to non-nursing students. About half of nursing students answered "herself/himself" as the most influential person in choosing nursing, whereas three quarters of non-nursing students did. Nursing students had a higher rate (75%) of satisfaction with their major than non-nursing students (60%).

Do I want to be a nurse? What influences students to undertake a BSc in nursing programme: a preliminary study

This preliminary study aimed to examine key aspects of the factors influencing students to undertake a career in nursing and to also examine attitudes that affected their decision to apply to study for a degree in nursing. The sample in this study comprised the total population (n = 78) of all students who had registered to commence a Degree in Nursing at one third-level college in the Republic of Ireland. The method adopted was a survey approach which employed the use of standardised questionnaires comprising both open and closed questioning styles. Raw statistical data were analysed using SPSS for Windows while the qualitative data arising from the open-ended questions were manually analysed for themes. The data obtained identified that the processes used in recruitment campaigns examined in this study were well utilised and valued by respondents. The main reasons cited for applying for a career in nursing included wanting to help and care for people. The findings of this study identified that there is a need for management to exploit incentives such as financial and job security, the opportunity to help others and travel opportunities in any future recruitment processes.

An investigation on nursing, midwifery and health care students' learning motivation in Turkey

The aim was to determine differences between the dimensions of motivational learning and sociodemographic characteristics of nursing, midwifery and health care students. For the purpose of collecting data on learning-oriented motivations, occupational learning motivation scale (OLMS) was used. The OLMS was designed to assess the constructs of extrinsic, intrinsic and negative factors for learning, cognitive and lifelong learning goals. The mean levels of the items "willingness to help people", "fear of making mistakes" and "willingness to work with those likely to motivate them" were all determined to be high. Significant differences were revealed for the sex of the students (p<0.05).

The future of nursing: career choices in potential student nurses

Young people leaving schools and sixth-form colleges have the opportunity to choose a career path from an increasing number of courses in colleges of further and higher education. Nursing studies are now competing with a range of health-related disciplines such as health studies, psychology and complementary therapy. Compared with nursing studies, many of these courses appear more exciting and appealing to students who are in the process of choosing a career or programme of study. While the increased choice is a positive move for students, it may contribute to the shortage of students currently entering some areas of nursing. Indeed, some specialties in nursing, including mental health and learning disabilities, are so depleted in students that they are reaching a point of crisis. There is also concern that recruitment into nursing remains predominately female and white British. Given the diversity of the UK population and the reliance on school leavers as a potential source of supply, it is important to understand why male students and those from multiracial and multicultural environments choose, or do not choose, nursing studies. This research study involved a sample of 106 16-year-old students from three secondary schools in the north-west and south-east of England. The questionnaire results, collected in schools, revealed that students held traditional views or knew very little about the nursing profession.

Career choices in health care: is nursing a special case? A content analysis of survey data

BACKGROUND

As demand for nurses and other health professionals continues to outstrip supply it is important to understand what motivates individuals to join a non-medical health profession.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to investigate students' reasons for choosing a particular nursing specialism, midwifery or other non-medical health profession, and to compare motivation factors across professions, gender, age, level of award, prior qualifications, prior experience and over time.

DESIGN

A prospective follow-up study collected survey responses at the beginning and end of pre-qualifying professional programmes.

SETTING

The study took place in one large United Kingdom faculty.

PARTICIPANTS

The study participants were 775 first-year students undertaking non-medical health professional programmes and 393 qualifying students.

METHODS

An open-ended question was included in a self-completed questionnaire administered at entry and at qualification. Content analysis identified themes.

RESULTS

Altruism was the most frequently cited reason for wishing to join a non-medical health profession, followed by personal interest/abilities, professional values/rewards, and prior experience of the area. Students entering nursing were less likely to cite an altruistic motivation than those entering other non-medical health professions (chi(2)=21.61, df=1, p<0.001). On entry, adult nursing, children's nursing and radiotherapy students were least likely to cite professional values/rewards (chi(2)=20.38, df=8, p=0.009). Students on degree level programmes were more likely to report altruism than those on diploma level courses (chi(2)=17.37, df=1, p<0.001). Differences were also identified between the two data collection points. The number of students identifying altruism (chi(2)=3.97, p=0.046) and professional values/rewards (chi(2)=6.67, p=0.010) decreased over time.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that although a service orientation remains a key factor in choosing nursing, students also look for a career which matches their interests and attributes, as well as offering professional values and rewards. Nursing may be in danger of losing service orientated recruits to other non-medical health professions.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak promotes a strong sense of professional identity among nursing students

This is a phenomenological study that examined nursing students' perception of nursing professional identity during severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Hong Kong in 2003. The aim of the study was to find out how the impact of the SARS event might have affected nursing students in identification with the nursing profession. A total of 10 nursing students were interviewed. This study showed that the SARS crisis enhanced a reconstruction of worldview and affirmed the professional identity of nursing students. Central themes derived from the interview were (1) appreciation and sharing of nursing identity; (2) a sense of moral duty; (3) a change of worldview and feeling of self-growth. This study provided insights to nursing education that acquisition of professional identity could be enhanced through reflective appreciation of critical events such as SARS.