Intent to work with older people after graduation: A descriptive survey among student nurses in the Western Cape Province, South Africa
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Abstract
Background. Ensuring that adequate numbers of well-prepared nurses respond appropriately to the unique and often complex health needs of a growing number of older persons in South Africa, requires not only an investigation of the intent of nursing students to work with older people after graduation, but also of their knowledge about and attitudes towards older people.
Objectives. To describe undergraduate nursing students’ knowledge of ageing, attitudes towards older people and their intention to work with older people after graduation.
Methods. A survey was conducted of undergraduate nursing students (N=240) from a university in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Stratified random sampling by year level was used to select students, and a self-administered questionnaire was completed. The questionnaire included two validated scales, i.e. an adapted Facts on Aging Quiz from Breytspraak and Badura, and Kogan’s Attitudes Toward Old People scale. In addition, specific questions about previous exposure and intent to work with older people upon graduation were included in the questionnaire. Descriptive data analysis was done using SPSS version 28. Data were analysed by seniority of students and compared for knowledge total scores, attitudes and intent to work.
Results. A response rate of 100% was achieved from 240 respondents ‒ most of them being female (n=198; 82.5%) and with an average age of 22.9 (standard deviation (SD) 5.4) years. The average knowledge score was 15.4/25 (61.6%), with no significant differences between junior and senior students. There were significant differences between males and females, with males having higher-rated positive appreciation attitudes towards older persons (49.0 (3.1) (95% confidence interval (CI) 44.9 - 53.1) v. 45.3 (9.2) (95% CI 44.0 - 46.6); t=2.2; p=0.030). A lower proportion of senior students than junior students indicated an intention to work with older people after graduation (40.9% v. 60.8%, respectively; χ2=9.4; p=0.002).
Conclusion. More research is needed to determine the factors that could possibly contribute to the increasing lack of interest and thus intent to work with older people among nursing students after graduation.
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