Choosing a Career in Community Health Nursing: Perspectives of Undergraduate Nursing Students

Abstract

Background: There has been an increasing shift in patient care from the acute hospital setting to the community. Nurses play an essential role as part of the community health care workforce; however, only a limited number of baccalaureate nursing students tend to choose a career in community health nursing after graduation. There is currently a gap in knowledge surrounding nursing students’ perception of a career in Community Health Nursing and the issues influencing their career choice upon graduation. Purpose: To explore issues that influence career choice in community health nursing from the perspective of baccalaureate nursing students. Research Methodology: The study was guided by a descriptive qualitative research approach. Individual semi-guided interviews and focus groups were conducted with eleven nursing students and a group of key stakeholders to share their thoughts on pursuing a career in community health nursing and the factors that enabled or hindered their decision making. Thematic analysis of the interview and focus group data generated relevant themes. Findings: Two major themes were represented in the study: 1) societal trends and expectations, and 2) issues influencing career choice in community health nursing. Discussion and Implications: The personal and contextual factors influencing the perceptions and attitudes of students towards pursuing community health nursing are discussed. Existing literature was integrated into the discussion of the many factors that both motivated and hindered baccalaureate nursing students from pursuing community health nursing. The underrepresentation of new graduates in community health nursing calls for directed efforts by community health nursing organizations and the university to improve the situation. Discussions surrounding COVID19 and community health nursing are also discussed. surrounding