Methodology A randomly selected national sample of more than 1,006 people was surveyed via telephone between June 10 and June 15, 1999. The demographic characteristics of the group were statistically representative of the adult U.S. population, including categories such as geographic regions, age, race and gender. According to Louis Harris Associates, Inc., the sample has a statistical precision of plus or minus three percentage points of what the responses would be if the entire adult population had been polled with complete accuracy. A 10-point Likert scale response was also used for a question about the education level needed for registered nurses. This method of response was also used for a question probing the public's trust for health information provided by nurses.
Many people believe that there is currently a shortage of nurses in the United States.
Findings and their implications Overall findings could have far-reaching effects on health and education policy decisions in the first decade of the new millennium. They would be less happy if their child opted for a career as a lawyer, journalist, or police officer. Of particular interest was the finding that African-Americans and Latinos favored nursing as a career slightly more than Caucasian respondents. Although nursing as a career choice is supported, bridging the gap that prevents people of all races from enrolling and graduating in baccalaureate nursing education programs needs to be addressed. The impact of the nursing shortage on quality of care was a grave issue for respondents-86 percent expressed a degree of concern.