Benue State University, Makurdi

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE OF NURSING AS A CAREER AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OREDO AND OVIA NORTH – EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF EDO STATE

Dr. Joyce Chukujindu Okafor
Department of Education, Benson Idahosa University,Benin City

Monica Nkiruka Onokwai
Department of Education, Benson Idahosa University,Benin City

Abstract

This is a research on the factors that influence the choice of nursing among secondary school students in Oredo and Ovia North East Local Government Areas of Edo State. The aim was to assess factors associated with the choice of nursing as a career among secondary school students, to assess the perception of nursing being a lucrative job among secondary school students and to assess the difference between male and female students’ perception of nursing. The target population was all the secondary school students (S.S.S. III). A descriptive survey research design was used. Simple random sampling was used to select 6 secondary schools in Oredo and Ovia North-East for the study. The total population was 4,021 students. Simple random sampling techniques were used to select 976 SSS III students from the selected schools for the study. A researcher developed questionnaire of 5-point Likert scale with a reliability of 0.90 was used for data collection. Results were presented in tables as percentages and means. Findings showed that several factors influenced the choice of Nursing. The highest influence was that the salary scale for nurses is attractive (mean=4.1). Nursing was also seen as a prestigious profession (mean=4.0) and the least influential factor was peer group in which friends say my attributes can make a good Nurse (mean=2.2). The basic perception of respondents regarding enrollment of males and females into nursing profession is because people expect nurses to be female (mean=3.75). The decision of choosing nursing as a career does not only depend on one single factor rather it involves the combination and interaction of several factors such as personal, economic, environmental societal parental or peer group factors. It is therefore recommended that the media should present nursing as a gender neutral profession. Career counselors in secondary schools should clearly explain the career opportunities of nursing profession.

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