Influential factors in choosing adult/mental health nursing

This paper describes a comparative survey to investigate the factors influencing twenty undergraduate nursing students on a 'Project 2000 style' course, in their choice of either the adult or mental health branch. The course was structured such that choice of branch was made at the end of the Common Foundation Programme, following experience of each type of nursing. Findings revealed that those choosing the mental health branch were more likely to have made their choice later in the course, and to have changed their mind. Students appeared to have been strongly influenced by positive experiences in mental health placements, both in relation to the work itself, and to the attitudes of ward staff and general atmosphere. These were compared favourably to their experiences in general wards. Reasons for choosing the adult branch included always having wanted to do general nursing and preferring a practically oriented career. Several students were influenced by future career plans for which an RGN qualification was necessary. Both groups had found decision making difficult, especially the mental health branch students who had changed their minds since they began the course. Many students felt that more information and experience, particularly in mental health nursing was needed in the Common Foundation Programme. Suggestions are made in relation to future recruitment to this and other mental health nursing courses.