Nursing Students’ Intention to Work as Community Health Nurse in China and Its Predictors

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose To identify nursing students’ intention and the predictors of intention to work as a community health nurse in China. Design A cross-sectional investigation was conducted. Methods A questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior was delivered by Wechat to a convenience sample of 810 students. Findings In the study, 345 students (42.6%) expressed the intention to be a community health nurse, and the program type, students’ attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of this intention. Conclusion The results highlight the necessity of community health nursing education reform in curriculum, teaching methods and nursing educators training, so as to improve students’ ability and acceptance of community health nursing. Clinical Evidence Working as community health nurse is not favored by students, and the current situation of community health nursing and nursing education system in China has not helped students recognize the attractive complexity in community care.