PERCEPTION OF REGULAR BACHILOR SCIENCES NURSING STUDENTS’ AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS TOWARD NURSING PROFESSION IN GONDAR AND BAHIRDAR UNIVERSITY, NORTH WEST OF ETHIOPIA, 2015.

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.