title: Student nurses' motivation to choose gerontological nursing as a career in China: a survey study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The world's population is aging, and the need for nurses is increasing. Working with older adults, however, has always been an unpopular career choice among student nurses. It is important to understand student nurses' motivation for choosing gerontological nursing as a career.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the motivation for choosing gerontological nursing as a career and to identify the associated factors among student nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were last-semester student nurses from 7 universities offering nursing undergraduate programs in Shandong, China. Of the 1290 student nurses, 916 completed the survey (a response rate of 71.0%).
  
  
  METHODS
  The outcome variable was the motivation to choose gerontological nursing as a career. This was measured using a motivation questionnaire that included expectancy and value subscales. Other instruments included the Chinese version of the Facts on Aging Quiz I, the Geriatrics Attitudes Scale, the Anxiety about Aging Scale, a clinical practice environment questionnaire and a self-administered general information questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Student nurses' expectancy and value aspects of motivation for choosing gerontological nursing as a career were both at a moderate level; the highest value they held was of personal interest. Clinical practice environment, anxiety about aging and the attitudes about geriatrics were the main factors influencing student nurses' motivation to choose gerontological nursing as a career in China.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is imperative for nurse educators to improve the gerontological nursing clinical practice environment for student nurses. Moreover, cultivating student nurses' positive attitudes about geriatrics and relieving anxiety about aging could be beneficial.
authors: School of Nursing, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China. Electronic address: 15064158262@163.com.
authors: Min
authors: M
authors: Cheng
authors: School of Nursing, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China. Electronic address: cecily615@163.com.
authors: Cheng
authors: C
authors: Cheng
authors: School of Nursing, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China. Electronic address: tian19881216@126.com.
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Tian
authors: School of Nursing, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China. Electronic address: fxiuzhen@sdu.edu.cn.
authors: Xiuzhen
authors: X
authors: Fan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D002681:China; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anxiety about aging; Attitudes about geriatrics; Clinical practice environment; Gerontological nursing; Motivation; Student nurses