The first degree studies of nursing – perceptions and reality

Abstract

THE FIRST DEGREE STUDIES OF NURSING – PERCEPTIONS AND REALITY

Introduction. Choosing a profession is not easy for an experienced adult. It is even more difficult for a young adult graduating from a secondary school. This is related to a number of factors that can affect the decision making, which include not only the individual's personality or abilities, but also conceptions shaped by family, close environment, stereotypes, or mass media. A well-chosen profession, meeting our expectations, predispositions and conceptions, enables self-realization and fulfillment.

Aim. The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of career choice as well as conceptions and statements about the nursing profession

Materials and methods. The study covered 40 nursing graduates of undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Bielsko-Biała. The method used in the study was diagnostic survey using the original questionnaire.

Results. For 90% of the respondents this profession gives satisfaction of providing constant support and care to people and allows to mitigate and reduce the suffering of the sick. For 57.5% of respondents the concept of the profession, in the course of their education, has changed partially, for 27.5% of them it changed completely, while for 15% - it remained unchanged. The same studies would have been chosen again by 70% of students, while 27.5% would have started other studies.