Factors influencing student nurses’ career choices after preceptorship in a five-year junior nursing college in Taiwan

SummaryThis study was conducted to explore the influence factors of a preceptorship in career choices following student nurses’ graduations. A total number of 326 student nurses in their fifth year of junior nursing college were selected as participants. A validated and reliable questionnaire was used in this study. Data were analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) for windows for percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s correlation. The results showed that: (1) the first five factors influencing student nurses’ career choices were good unit environment, nurse’s professional role, self-professional knowledge deficiency, nurse’s professional knowledge, and patient’s and family’s good feedback; (2) the correlation between the chosen field of practice and willingness to work after graduation showed a strong relationship in all areas. Notably, the preceptorship had an impact on student nurses selecting a nursing career. These results can give nurse educators guidance in preparing student nurses as they enter the work force.