Dissertation (MSc Nursing Education)
Background: An estimate of 35 million nurses and midwives make up the greater part of the global healthcare workforce. Historically the nursing profession has been viewed as an occupation of low status and more feminine work; thus prevents students from choosing nursing as their career.
Objective: The study intended to explore the effect of career perspective orientation on the attitude, perception and interest among secondary school students towards nursing profession as career of choice in Northern and Central Zones of Tanzania.
Methodology: A quasi-experimental study design with single group (pre-post test) was employed with quantitative study approach. A multistage sampling technique was employed in achieving a sample size of 608 secondary school students. The scaled written questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data using SPSS version 20.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 18 years old, ±1.61.Paired T Test shows significance changes after intervention in attitude t(607)=, p<0.001;95% (CI=32.5283 - 37.6855); and changes in perception t(607)=18.849, p<0.001; 95% (CI=23.65287 -29.9371) while change in interest t(607)=14.108;p=0.001; 95%(CI=9.1743-12.1415 ).
Moreover, the findings from linear regression analysis shows that attitude change had significance association with change in perception and interest (B=0.457; p< 0.001; 95% (CI=0.340-0.574), (B=0.349; p <0.001; 95 %( CI=0.173-0.525). Change in perception shows significance association with attitude and interest(B =0.197; p=<0.001; 95% (CI=0.147- 0.248), (B = 0.930; p< 0.001; 95% (CI =0.840-1.020) ; and also interest change shows significance change in attitude and perception(B=0.072; p< 0.001; 95% (CI 0.036-0.108), (B= 0.442; p <0.001; 95% (CI=0.399- 0.485) .
Conclusion: The educational intervention has shown a positive impact changes in attitude, perception and interest towards nursing profession as career of choice. Therefore, implementation of formal nursing career training will be the important strategies in overcoming the predicted shortage of nurses by 2030.