Process and factors influencing Italian nurse graduates' first choice of employment: a descriptive study

Describing factors influencing the first choice of employment and comparing between countries are the first step to (a) creating a global perspective, (b) encouraging reflection and awareness among staff education and developing professionals strategies, (c) reflecting on nonattractive wards or hospitals, and (d) considering the relevance of different factors emerging during international recruitment. The aim of this work is to develop the first exploratory research into which factors influence this choice for newly graduated Italian nurses, comparing with evidence from international literature. To find out which factors influence most the choice of newly graduated nurses, a questionnaire was given to new graduates who had completed the bachelor of nursing science degree course in Udine. A total of 45 nurses, with an average age of 24 years and who graduated in 2004 and had worked for 2 months, responded. To choose which hospital they would start working in, the new graduates were presented with 101 questions and had 77 interviews overall; the choice of hospital depends not only on the initial interview with the nursing directors but also on the availability of places in the requested ward. The major factors influencing the choice of the first ward are the type of patients to be nursed, the possibility to use the knowledge gained during the degree course, and the desire for professional advancement. The factors that have less influence, however, are the types of shift work and the leadership qualities of the medical director or the charge nurse. Within the limits, this first exploratory research discovers some Italian new graduates' traits in their first work experience. Taking notice of the factors involved in the choice of the first clinical placement will help the hospitals and the nursing profession to better understand the needs and expectations of the new graduates.