Career choices and destinations of rural nursing students undertaking single and double degrees in nursing

Objectives: To identify and compare the location and career preferences of students enrolled in single and transdisciplinary double degrees in a Bachelor of Nursing program at a rural university. To understand what influences and motivates students to enrol in a double degree program that includes nursing. Design: A cross-sectional cohort study using a semi structured survey. Setting: Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. Subjects: 209 undergraduate students in all years of the Bachelor of Nursing (BN), Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) (BN/BCP), and Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching (BN/BECT) programs. Main outcome measures: Demographics of participants; reasons double degree students enrolled in a nursing program; career location and career discipline preferences. Results: In 2008 the majority (70%) of students in all three groups were from rural areas, but double degree students came from a higher socio-economic background, were younger and were more likely to be male than single degree nursing students. They also had different motivating factors for enrolling and many did not prefer nursing as a career 40% of BN, 45% of BN/BECT students and 28% of BN/BCP students preferred to work in a rural location for their graduate year. Conclusions: Students undertaking this rural based double degree nursing program are different to single degree nursing students in a number of important areas. The lack of interest in a nursing career and a rural location by over half of these students is concerning. Targeted strategies are needed to reverse this loss of potential nursing graduates

Transition to work and the career destinations of double degree nurses

Abstract One third of undergraduate nursing students in Australia are studying nursing concurrently with another undergraduate degree. This study examined the career preferences of double degree (DD) nursing students and the career destinations of graduates to gain an understanding of the reasons why nursing is chosen or not chosen. The design was a sequential mixed methods explanatory study. Questionnaires and interviews collected information during the final year of the DD, on commencement of work, and after 2 years in the workforce. Results revealed less than half of final year students indicated a preference for nursing, but 60-73% were employed in nursing after graduation. Career decisions were influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic rewards unique to nursing but also the other discipline. Practicum experiences and location of work were also important factors. Strategies are needed to avoid losing potential nursing graduates to other disciplines at a time of nursing staff shortages

Nursing double degrees: a higher education initiative in times of nursing shortages

Objective: The aim of this paper is to raise awareness of nursing double degrees (DD) and pose questions about their possible impact on nursing shortages. Setting: Nursing education in the Australian higher education sector. Primary argument: DDs that include nursing are now offered in 13 universities in Australia with over one third of undergraduate nursing students studying by DD mode. The paper argues that the nursing profession should be alert to the growing presence of DD nursing students and graduates and consider the implications of DDs as part of future workforce planning. Conclusions: To take account of DD graduates who do not choose to take up a career in nursing, there needs to be an increase in Australian Government funded nursing places and more incentives to remain in nursing. Additionally, where a DD includes a second professional qualification (e.g. teaching, paramedicine) there needs to be some relaxation of cross professional regulations and scopes of practice so that DD graduates can practice in both disciplines

Why nursing? applying a socio-ecological framework to study career choices of double degree nursing students and graduates

Aim: To report a study that investigated the career development, aspirations, and choices of undergraduate students and graduates of nursing double degree programmes. Background: Over one-third of Australian undergraduate nursing students study by double degree mode. Their career destinations will have an impact on the availability of graduates in a time of nursing shortages, but little is known about why nursing students choose double degrees or take up a career in nursing vs. the other specialization. Design: A qualitative study using two longitudinal methods. Methods: The study was conducted in 2008-2009 with 68 participants from an Australian regional university offering double degrees in nursing. A time series method involved interviews with 12 first year students followed by focus group interviews with 22 final year students. A longitudinal method involved repeated interviews with 34 graduates. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically. Results: Enrolment in a double degree was influenced by advice from significant others; previous experiences of health care; and the anticipated rewards associated with a choice of two careers. Career development and decisions of undergraduates were influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic rewards distinctive to each area of specialization and marketing and job availability. For graduates, the impact of workplace experiences such as prior practicums and past and present workplace support were foremost. Conclusion: This study provides previously unknown information about double degree nursing students' and graduates' career development and career choices over time. A socio-ecological framework adapted to nursing enabled a broad understanding of the many environments and contexts that confirm or discourage a nursing career