Factores que influyen en la elección de los estudios de enfermería / Factors influencing the choice of nursing studies

Objetivo. Explorar los factores que influyeron, en los estudiantes de primer curso, en la elección de los estudios de enfermería. Método. Estudio cualitativo, descriptivo y exploratorio, de enfoque fenomenológico, realizado en 2009 en la Escola Universitària d’Infermeria Vall d’Hebron (EUIVH). Se utilizó la entrevista en profundidad semiestructurada, dirigida e individual. La población de estudio fueron los estudiantes matriculados en primer curso. Resultados. Los factores que han influido en la elección de la carrera de enfermería son diversos, no apareciendo ninguno de ellos como un claro determinante. Sin embargo, aspectos como las experiencias personales de contacto con el mundo sanitario, la duración de los estudios y las expectativas del mercado laboral son considerados como motivadores para la elección. El contacto con el contenido teórico de la carrera ha servido para cambiar positivamente la percepción de los estudiantes respecto al rol profesional y para fidelizar a algunos que no escogieron enfermería como primera opción. Conclusiones. Enfermería es una de las carreras universitarias con mayor demanda. La ausencia de un claro factor determinante en su elección, añadido a la complejidad de la actividad cuidadora, así como a la posible utilización de la carrera para cursar posteriores estudios de preferencia, nos sitúa ante un escenario difícil para la continuidad en el ejercicio profesional. Se plantea la cuestión de si las intervenciones para minimizar la carencia de profesionales, deberían ir dirigidas hacia aquellos factores que predisponen a elegir los estudios o bien, hacia aquellos otros que influyen en el abandono posterior de la profesión (AU)

Objective. To explore the factors that influenced first year students in their choice of nursing studies. Method. Qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study with a phenomenological focus carried out in 2009 in the Vall d’Hebron University Nursing School (EUIVH). Semi-structured, individual, guided in-depth interviews were used. The study population was made up of students registered for the first year of the course. Results. The factors influencing the decision to take a degree in nursing are numerous, with no single factor appearing as dominant. However, aspects such as personal contacts in the healthcare world, the duration of the course and expectations in the employment market are those considered as motivators for the choice. Contact with the theoretical content of the course positively changed students’ perceptions with respect to the professional role and to increase loyalty among those who did not put nursing in first place. Conclusions. Nursing is one of the most solicited university degrees. The absence of a clear determining factor in choosing it, as well as the complexity of the caring profession, and the possible use of this degree as a way in to other preferred courses make continuity in professional practice difficult. The question arises as to whether interventions to minimise the lack of professionals in the field should be aimed at those factors that are positive for choosing these courses, or at those that influence the later abandonment of the profession (AU)

[Factors influencing the choice of nursing studies]. / Factores que influyen en la elección de los estudios de enfermería.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors that influenced first year students in their choice of nursing studies. METHOD: Qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study with a phenomenological focus carried out in 2009 in the Vall d'Hebron University Nursing School (EUIVH). Semi-structured, individual, guided in-depth interviews were used. The study population was made up of students registered for the first year of the course. RESULTS: The factors influencing the decision to take a degree in nursing are numerous, with no single factor appearing as dominant. However, aspects such as personal contacts in the healthcare world, the duration of the course and expectations in the employment market are those considered as motivators for the choice. Contact with the theoretical content of the course positively changed students' perceptions with respect to the professional role and to increase loyalty among those who did not put nursing in first place. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing is one of the most solicited university degrees. The absence of a clear determining factor in choosing it, as well as the complexity of the caring profession, and the possible use of this degree as a way in to other preferred courses make continuity in professional practice difficult. The question arises as to whether interventions to minimise the lack of professionals in the field should be aimed at those factors that are positive for choosing these courses, or at those that influence the later abandonment of the profession.