The relationship between gender role attitudes and career choices among nursing students: A cross-sectional study

The healthcare sector is one of the domains where inequalities stemming from gender roles and expectations are most pronounced. For nurses, gender awareness is crucial in fostering meaningful connections with patients and plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of healthcare services. This study aims to explore the relationship between gender role attitudes and career choices among the new generation of nursing students.

This cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 332 nursing students. Data were collected using the Gender Role Attitudes Scale (GRAS) and the Vocational Choices in Entering Nursing Scale (VCENS). Data analysis included t-tests, ANOVA, post-hoc Benferroni tests, spearman correlation analysis and linear regression analysis.

77.1 % of the students were female (n = 256), 64.5 % chose the profession voluntarily, and 53.9 % selected nursing due to its ease of employment. The female students scored significantly higher on the GRAS compared to the male students. Those who voluntarily chose the profession had significantly higher VCENS total scores and 'Vocational Congruency' subscale scores. However, no significant relationship was found between gender role attitudes and career choice in nursing students.

Educational programs can be designed to promote gender equality awareness among students. Public awareness campaigns can highlight the importance and value of nursing while emphasizing that it is not a gender-specific profession.