Perception of Nursing as a Career Choice among Natural Science Preparatory School Students in Hawassa City, South Ethiopia

Zemenu Yohannes; Nebiha Hadra; Lidiya Tegene; Mekdes Wehib; Sara Mohammednur; Tigist Akalu

doi:10.37591/rrjohp.v7i3.114

Abstract

Background: Nursing is a frontline of all aspects of human health and peaceful death. Studies suggest that early high school students’ perception of nursing as a career of choice directly or indirectly impacts the health industry. High school students are a pipeline for future nursing. High school students who understand nursing as a career choice in the future contribute a lot of things and retention the work area. Throughout our best knowledge and search, there is no study done in this area. The aim of this study was to assess perception of nursing as a career choice among natural science preparatory school students in Hawassa city. Methods: School based cross sectional study was conducted among preparatory school students in Hawassa city from February 1 to 30, 2017. Preparatory school students in Hawassa city who were enrolled for 11th–12th grade natural science for the academic year 2016–2017, were selected using simple random sampling methods. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 353 students from 11th–12th grade. Data were collected and supervised by principal investigators. Self-administered questionnaire was used for interviewing the study participants. The collected data was coded, entered into SPSS version 20 for analysis. The description was computed and presented in texts, tables and figures. Result: Among the study subjects, overall perception of nursing 115(32.6%) agreed, 95%CI (28, 37.4), whereas 38(10.8%) 95%CI (7.6, 13.9) nursing was definitely as a career choice for future. About 125(35.4%) 95%CI (30.0, 40.5) nursing was not definitely as a career choice for future. Conclusion and Recommendation: Over all, the perception of nursing as a career choice is low. The nursing association and hospital nursing service administration will perform advocacy for nursing at high school and community level. Keywords: Perception, Career Choice, Ethiopia Cite this ArticleZemenu Yohannes, Nebiha Hadra, Lidiya Tegene et al. Perception of Nursing as a Career Choice among Natural Science Preparatory School Students in Hawassa City, South Ethiopia. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Health Professions. 2017; 7(3): 14–22p.