Goals and expectations of nurse students on nursing profession

Students' incentives when choosing what studies to follow relate to the prospects that a degree course may offer. Aim of this study was to investigate the goals and expectations of nursing students from entering the nursing profession. Method: This synchronic study is quantitative and qualitative in design. The sample consisted of 146 students from 1st and the 7th semester of the Nursing Department, TEI of Athens. Data collection was conducted via a questionnaire that was based on the theoretical framework of Ford's Taxonomy of Human Goals. These goals identity internal or cognitive goals and include experiences, social behavior, self-efficacy and task goals. Results: 45,5% and 58,75% of students from 1st semester and 7th respectively chose to study nursing because they believed that it would offer them a secured employment in the future. The largest percentage of students from both semesters (1st=33%, 7th=27,5%) was affected in their choice by social environment. Their responses at an open question indicated that 57,14% of the 1st semester chose nursing as their profession because they wished to "offer help", and 80% of the 7th semester indicated that "they liked looking after other people". They found the content of their studies curriculum very interesting (1st=80,30%, 7th=53,75%). The provision of care to patients was found to be responsible for feelings of satisfaction of both semesters (1st=95,35%, 7th=98,75%). Conclusions: Nursing students seem to choose the profession of nursing because they want to offer. Their participation in patient care creates feelings of satisfaction in the majority of the students. Nurse educators should emphasize on all areas of nursing work, as well as a more realistic view of nursing.

Keywords: Nursing students, expectations, career goals, nursing profession