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Called to nursing: perceptions of student nurses.
1Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Baylor University, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Summary
Many nursing students feel called by God to help others, often deciding on their career path during high school or college. These findings aid in recruiting and retaining compassionate individuals for the nursing profession.
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.