title: Factors that influence career decisions in Canada's nurses.
abstract: Understanding the experiences of nurses who have moved between the provinces and territories (P/T) in Canada for work provides insight into the role of professional socialization in career decision-making. This paper analyzes some of the qualitative data arising from a survey of nurses from across Canada. The findings provide insight into nurses' professional socialization and demonstrate that early perceptions and expectations of nursing practice can influence future career decisions such as mobility and intent to remain. Participants described how "caring" and direct patient contact were central to their choice of nursing and career satisfaction. As the data reveal, nursing is also regarded as a career that enables mobility to accommodate both family considerations and professional development opportunities. The findings highlight the need for professional socialization strategies and supports that motivate Canadian nurses to continue practising within the profession and the country.
authors.affiliation: Sheri Price, RN, PhD, Assistant Professor, Dalhousie University, School of Nursing, Halifax, NS.
authors.forename: Sheri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Price
authors.affiliation: Linda McGillis Hall, RN, PhD, Kathleen Russell Distinguished Professor, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: Linda McGillis
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Michelle Lalonde, RN, MN, Lecturer, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lalonde
authors.affiliation: Gavin Andrews, PhD, Professor, Department of Health, Aging & Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON.
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.affiliation: Alexandra Harris, RN, MN, MBA, Graduate Student, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Sandra MacDonald-Rencz, RN, MEd, Nursing Executive Advisor, Strategic Policy Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: MacDonald-Rencz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D002322:Career Mobility; D003625:Data Collection; D003657:Decision Making; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012951:Socialization