Abstract:
Nursing as a profession and nurses in general, have suffered for long from public stereotyping and being closely linked with femininity and powerlessness. Though the influence of this image is unknown, the growing shortage of nurses, places a significant emphasis on their career choice, development, recruitment and retention. The objective was to assess the image of a nurse and nursing as perceived by the nursing students and identify the image related factors influencing career choice and development in nursing through the four year Bachelor degree in nursing programme. Focus group approach was used in the study. Using proportionate stratified random sampling technique four focus groups consisting of seven female and one male student in each group were selected from among the whole population of B.Sc. Nursing students who were in their fourth month of the course in the respective academic years. Data were collected using open ended questions. The participants verbatim were recorded, transcribed, coded and the most relevant themes were identified. Results show that before joining the profession students perceive a relatively negative image of nursing which change significantly towards a positive image through the four year programme. Factors influencing their career choice and development are studying at a government institute, low fee structure, better job opportunities, pay structure, job security and failure of getting into Medicine. The influencing people identified are parents, relatives, school teachers and friends in the profession. Findings emphasize the need for planning strategies to improve the workenvironment and work behaviours of nursing personnel which is imperative for a positive portrayal of the profession.
