Called to nursing: perceptions of student nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Professions
• Student Recruitment

Background:

• Understanding motivations for entering the nursing profession is crucial for effective recruitment and retention strategies.
• Exploring the concept of a divine calling in nursing can provide unique insights into student commitment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the primary reasons students pursue nursing careers.
• To quantify the proportion of nursing students who perceive a divine calling to the profession.
• To explore the meaning of this calling among nursing students.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was employed.
• The study population included all students enrolled in nursing courses at a private, faith-based university.

Main Results:

• The majority of students chose nursing due to a desire to help others, with decisions often made during high school or college.
• Caring and compassion were identified as the most significant personal characteristics for nursing practice.
• Approximately two-thirds of participants reported feeling "called" by God to become nurses.

Conclusions:

• The findings offer valuable data for nursing educators and leaders to enhance recruitment and retention efforts.
• Interventions can be developed to foster and support the caring and compassionate attributes essential for all nurses.