Preparatory Students’ Perception about the Nursing Profession and Its Impact on Their Career Choice in Qassim University in KSA

Lamiaa Ismail Keshk^1, , Fathia A. Mersal² and Khaled Fahad Al Hosis³

¹College of Nursing in Helwan University and Qassim University

²College of Nursing (Ain-Shams University; Associate professor in Qassim University)

³College of Nursing, Qassim University

Cite this paper:
Lamiaa Ismail Keshk, Fathia A. Mersal and Khaled Fahad Al Hosis. Preparatory Students’ Perception about the Nursing Profession and Its Impact on Their Career Choice in Qassim University in KSA. American Journal of Nursing Research. 2016; 4(3):74-82. doi: 10.12691/ajnr-4-3-4

Abstract

Saudi Arabia has relied on non-Saudi nurses to meet the nursing demands. Saudi Arabia faces a critical professional nursing shortage. The annual rate of Saudi nursing graduates is insufficient to meet the increasing healthcare demands. Young women do not view nursing as socially appropriate career choice. Most Saudi families do not consider nursing as an honorable occupational choice. Therefore, prevailing negative images and perceived low status of nursing have contributed to the high stress level of participants. Aim: describe preparatory Students’ perception for Nursing Profession and The Impact on their career choice in Qassim University in KSA. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional survey will be used. Probability sample all preparatory premedical students' male and female in Qassim University in KSA present at the time of the study recruited within Academic year 2013-2014. Whereas male numbers equal 260 students and Female numbers equal 253 students. Results: three quarters of students had an acceptable image regarding Career preference and more than half of them had acceptable image regarding total career choice. More than half of them had an unacceptable image regarding career image and career accessibility. Nearly two thirds of students did not consider nursing as their career choice. Male student had better career image than female students while female students had better career preference and career accessibility than male student. Conclusion: The status of nursing in Saudi Arabia should be enhanced in order to make it valuable career. Some students are interested in nursing but afraid and hesitant. Afraid from society and its perception, afraid of failure and regrets, hesitant to take risks and to have trouble. The students were not well aware of the benefits of nursing. Nurse educators should organize career days, where there should be interaction between students and nurse educator so that they should be better informed about nursing and its opportunities for further advancement. Nurse educators should also be involved during health education sessions conducted for students.

Keywords:
nursing profession students career choice

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