Graduate entry students' early perceptions of their future nursing careers. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McKenna, Lisa; Brooks, Ingrid
• Is Part Of: Nurse education in practice. Volume 28(2018)
• Page Start: 292
• Page End: 295
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Career intention -- Content analysis -- Graduate entry -- Nursing; Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Education, Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Study and teaching; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.73071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2017.11.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-5953

Abstract

Abstract: Graduate entry nursing programs designed for individuals with prior degrees in other disciplines are becoming increasingly popular internationally. They provide entry into nursing for people with unique skill-sets. Yet, little is known about why these individuals choose career change into nursing and what they expect from their new careers. This component of a larger study sought to explore graduate entry nursing students' short and longer term career intentions on commencement of their courses. A cross-sectional survey was used. Descriptive frequencies were used to analyse demographic data, while summative content analysis was used with the open-ended questions. Participants were drawn from eight cohorts of commencing students from enrolled in one graduate entry masters program in Australia between 2009 and 2015. Content analysis identified three main categories: professional role, work location, and work context. Longer term responses were categorised under four categories: professional role, work location, work context and personal and professional goals. Many students had clear directions about their future nursing careers. On graduation, many envisioned working in advanced roles or in clinical specialty areas, primarily in hospital settings. However, in the longer term, there was diversity among with many envisaging work outside traditional hospital settings, and some in other health disciplines. Highlights: Graduate entry courses are becoming more popular as an alternative entry to nursing careers. Many people entering graduate entry courses have clearly identified ideas about their future nursing careers. There is a need for longitudinal studies to follow the career trajectories of graduates from these courses.