FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE CAREER DECISION MAKING AMONG UNDERGRADUATE NURSING STUDENTS AT TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

Global Nursing shortage and students retention is critical issues concern in health care and educational institutions. According to statistics of the Central Applications Office (CAO), demonstrated a 10% drop in the acceptances of nursing offers between 2005 and 2009 (CAO 2009). Therefore, understanding who enter nursing college and reasons behind choosing nursing as career path is highly important for the nursing profession to recruit and promote their students in the nursing domain.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Introduction1

1.2 Background and Justification of the Study1

1.3 Research Aim Statement2

1.4 Research Question3

1.5 Significance of the Study3

1.6 Implications5

1.7 Conclusion6

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW8

2.1 Introduction8

2.2 Search Strategy11

2.3 Nursing Emigration11

2.4 Nursing Shortage13

2.5 Nursing Education in Ireland15

2.6 Factors That May Affect Career Decision Making Amongst Nursing Students:16

2.6.1 Desire to help:16

2.6.2 Previous experience with nursing:16

2.6.3 Nursing perception17

2.6.4 Nursing image18

2.6.5 Gender18

2.6.6 Nursing study19

2.6.7 Age and qualifications20

2.6.8 Role of the family21

2.6.9 Media21

2.7 Barriers of Students Retention22

2.8 Related Studies24

2.9 Conclusion27

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS30

3.1 Introduction30

3.2 Aim and objectives30

3.2.1 Aim30

3.2.2 Objectives30

3.3 Research questions31

3.4 Philosophical issues31

This section was developed to answer the following questions:31

3.4.1 Research paradigm33

3.4.2 Research design34

3.4.3 Data collection method35

3.5 Population and sampling37

3.6 Sampling strategies38

3.7 Negotiation of access38

3.8 Issues of validity and reliability38

3.9 Pilot study39

3.10 Ethical considerations39

3.10.1 Safety39

3.10.2 Autonomy40

3.10.3 Privacy40

3.10.4 Confidentiality40

3.11 Data analysis40

3.12 Conclusion41

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION43

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION53

REFERENCES55

APPENDIX (A)64

APPENDIX (B)75

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of the study background, its justification, its aim, the questions it addresses, its significance, and implications for clinical practice. This chapter will introduce the topic and the aim of the study. This will be done by giving a background of the topic and justifying why the study was chosen.

1.2 Background and Justification of the Study

The main problem of the study is “what are the factors that influence careers decisions making among undergraduate nursing students in Trinity College Dublin?” this problem will be assessed by conducting a survey and then analyzing the acquired data with the help of SPSS. Further details are discussed in the methodology chapter.

The demand for more nurses is evident in all health care settings in Ireland. A number of well-documented reasons support the need for more nurses:

An increasing elderly population

The increased prevalence of chronic disease

Advances that have increased the life span of individuals with chronic diseases

Technological and medical advances that have eradicated infectious diseases and increased the survival rates of individuals with acute diseases and trauma

The movement toward a community-based approach to health care

These societal and demographic changes have led the Bureau of Labour Standards to predict that health ...