title: Stagnant perceptions of nursing among high school students: results of a shadowing intervention study.
abstract: To gain insight into high school students' perceptions of the role of the nurse and to explore students' impressions of nursing following a nurse-shadowing intervention. Often nurses abandon staffing positions in the first 1-2 years, reporting a "poor fit" with nursing. Few studies have examined expectations and perceptions of nursing among high school students; a population of potential nurses in whom a more accurate view of nursing opportunities and professionalism may be fostered. High school students from two North Carolina counties participated in a nurse-shadowing intervention. Constant comparison and thematic coding were used for analysis of post-intervention in-depth interviews. Sixteen of 24 students completed the study. Misperception of nursing was the dominant theme. Five sub-themes were professional role responsibility, teamwork, caring relationships, tools and technology, and medication management. Experiential knowledge of nursing was a core need for students interested in nursing careers. These data suggest that a nurse shadowing program may positively influence perceptions of nursing, and may result in improved recruitment and retention in the workplace.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Health System, Heart Center, Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710, USA. porte021@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: Pamela B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Bradi B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Granger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001290:Attitude; D002321:Career Choice; D004506:Education, Nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina; D011231:Preceptorship; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014830:Vocational Guidance