Abstract:
Background: The image of both nurses and nursing as a profession are vital in the
successful recruitment and retention of staff in the health care industry. However, in the
country, research regarding to student nurses perception of their profession is lacking.
This study assessed perception of regular bachelor sciences nursing students and
associated factors towards the nursing profession in Gondar and Bahirdar University,
Amhara regional state, Ethiopia.
Objective: to assess perception of regular bachelor sciences nursing students’ and
associated factors towards nursing profession in Gondar and Bahirdar university, North
West of Ethiopia, 2015.
Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from March 24
to April 6, 2015. Stratified sampling technique was used. Semi structured selfadministered
English version questioners, were used to collect data. Spss version 20.0
was used to enter and analysis data. The sample characteristics were summarized by
using descriptive statics. Bivariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis with
forward stepwise method was fitted to describe the associated factors and the odds
ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated to investigate the associated factors.
Results: A total of 220 respondents were participated in the study with the response
rate of 91.2. More than half of the respondents had poor perception towards their
profession (55.5%). Having no friend or relative in nursing profession [AOR [95%CI]
2.63 [1.446-4.810], the students’ University (Bahirdar) (AOR [95%CI] 2.25[1.234-4.118],
were significant factors for the development of poor perception towards nursing
profession among student nurses. Having worst image towards nursing profession from
the relationship of student nurses with faculty members (AOR [95%CI] 0.45[0.253-
0.825] were 55% less likely to report poor perception towards their profession. In
addition, first year student nurses were 74% less likely to report poor perception
towards their profession than fourth year student nurses (AOR [95%CI] 0.26[0.104 -
0.647].
Conclusions and recommendations: In this study, more than half of the study
participants reported poor perception towards nursing profession. Having no friend or
relative in nursing profession and the university (Bahirdar) in which students enrolled in
were significant factors to have poor perception towards nursing profession.
Recommendations to, governmental and non-governmental organizations: to do a
promotion activity through media and to give emphasis at improving students’ poor
perception towards nursing profession.
