Career Intention of Baccalaureate Student Nurses: Understanding the Barriers, Enablers, and Predictors Toward Public/Community Health Nursing

AIM This study had two aims: to determine initial career intention of nursing students and to assess whether nursing education variables predict career intentions toward public health/community health nursing. BACKGROUND Nursing graduates are expected to be prepared to work in community settings. However, there is uncertainty in whether students are attracted to these settings and whether nursing education is impactful in shaping career intention. METHOD A cross-sectional survey targeted baccalaureate and accelerated students across Oregon. Analyses utilized descriptive statistics and multiple regression. RESULTS Students reported most interest in acute care. Didactic and clinical learning were not related to intention to pursue a public health/community health career. The strongest predictor was career intention when starting nursing school. CONCLUSION Students enter nursing school with largely fixed intentions. Educators need to develop greater prenursing outreach and understanding of the drivers toward public and community health to build curricula and passion for this area of nursing.