CAREER CHOICE SATISFACTION AND CAREER MATURITY OF BACCALAUREATE NURSING STUDENTS (STUDENT NURSES).
Contributors: University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 84
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Education, Guidance and Counseling.; Psychology, Industrial.
Description: Recruitment and retention is an issue confronting nursing. Enrollments in schools of nursing are increasing, but the demand for nurses will continue to increase. This cross-sectional study examined career choice satisfaction and career maturity of baccalaureate nursing students. Students with high career maturity will make wiser career decisions, thereby enhancing their career satisfaction. Little is known regarding the pattern of career maturity and how this concept changes throughout the nursing program. The following research questions were formulated: (a) What is the career choice satisfaction and career maturity of baccalaureate nursing students?; (b) Is there a relationship between career choice satisfaction and career maturity of baccalaureate nursing students?; and (c) Is there a difference in career choice satisfaction and career maturity of baccalaureate nursing students at the beginning, junior, and senior levels?.

Career development theory (Super, 1957) was the selected framework and research was based on results of a pilot study. A total of 130 subjects from a southeastern university completed the study instruments. The Career Maturity Inventory Attitude Scale (Crites, 1978a) and a 10-point rating scale indicating level of satisfaction (1 = least, 10 = most) with career choice were utilized in this study.

The mode satisfaction score for the sample and each level was 10 (36.2%). Scores ranged from 3 to 10 with a median of 9. The career maturity scores ranged from 25 to 46 (possible score = 50) with a mean of 37.485 (SD = 4.132). No significant relationship was demonstrated between career choice satisfaction and career maturity ($\rho$ =.1484, p $>$.05). A one-way ANOVA demonstrated no significant difference in career maturity scores across the levels of the nursing program. Likewise, no significant difference was found in career choice satisfaction scores across the three levels ($\chi\sp2$ =.9203, p =.63). Nurse educators should provide individual career guidance for students and devise strategies that promote career maturity. Future studies should focus on career maturity and career choice satisfaction of students as they progress through the program and enter the practice arena.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-06, Section: B, page: 2990.

Thesis (D.S.N.)--UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM, 1991.

School code: 0005.