Factors associated with career decision in Taiwanese nursing students: A questionnaire survey

The vocational decisions of nursing students have always been a concern for nursing educators and administrators. It is unclear, however, what factors play a role in determining the professional choices made by these students. Limited research into this area has been undertaken in Taiwan. This study, therefore, was designed to investigate the factors associated with career choices in Taiwan's nursing students. The convenience sample included all fourth-year nursing students of a college in eastern Taiwan. A validated and reliable self-administered questionnaire developed by the investigators was used in the study. The sample population consisted of 231 fourth-year nursing students. Notably, 65.4% reported that they would not choose nursing as a career after graduation. Significant variables associated with this career decision were clinical ability (t=2.35t=2.35, p<0.05p<0.05), degree of stress during clinical practice (t=-3.04t=-3.04, p<0.01p<0.01), and perceived support from staff nurses (t=2.28t=2.28, p<0.05p<0.05). These results suggest that both educators and administrators need to reconsider the way nursing students are educated, and indicate that strategies must be developed to enhance students’ motivation to select nursing as a career.