ABSTRACT
The extremely small number of men choosing the nursing profession as a career, coupled with the continuing shortage of nurses, prompted an investigation of male high school students' opinions about nursing. Kohler and Edwards' Career Questionnaire was administered to 126 male high school students representing grades 9-12 from three area public schools. Findings show that although the majority of subjects have a positive perception of nurses and nursing, the vast majority are not planning on entering the profession. Analysis of subjects' beliefs about nurses' financial status offers a possible explanation.
Subject(s)
Career Choice , Nursing , Social Perception , Students/psychology , Adolescent , Attitude , Gender Identity , Humans , Male , Mass Media , Nurses, Male/standards , Racial Groups , Salaries and Fringe Benefits , Stereotyping , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urban PopulationABSTRACT
Declining enrollments in nursing programs, coupled with the current shortage of practicing registered nurses, prompted this investigation of 306 high school students' beliefs about nurses and nursing. The study also identifies potential numbers of future nursing students from high school populations and their primary source of information about nursing. Using an investigator questionnaire, subjects responded to statements about educational requirements for registered nurses along with their working conditions, earning power, and social status. Findings reveal a projected continuing shortage of nurses based on the very small percentage of subjects even considering nursing as a career. Additional findings show that whereas some perceptions about nursing seem congruent with those of nurses themselves, other beliefs held by high school students are not consistent with the realities of professional nursing today. Results of this study can be used by nurse recruiters to correct misconceptions about nursing and to help high school students perceive the profession in a more positive way. Expanding the informational sources about nursing can facilitate the recruitment process.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health , Career Choice , Nursing , Students/psychology , Adolescent , Education, Nursing , Employment , Female , Humans , Male , Salaries and Fringe Benefits , Social PerceptionABSTRACT
A crucial need exists for more widespread adoption of nursing models of care in meeting health-care requirements of elderly citizens. A specific model designed to enhance client autonomy is offered as a method of promoting independent functioning of older clients having multichronic disease processes and functional limitations.
