Child Health Nurs Res.  2017 Apr;23(2):168-178. 10.4094/chnr.2017.23.2.168.

Experience of Career Decision of Korean Nursing Students

• Koo HY
• Park OK
• Jo KW

• KMID: 2388611
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4094/chnr.2017.23.2.168

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of career decision making by Korean nursing students.
METHODS
The participants were 18 nursing students from one nursing college. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews, and the main question was, "Could you describe your experience of making a career decision?" Data from the field and transcribed notes were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory methodology.
RESULTS
Core category of nursing students' experiences in making career decisions was "˜trying to find the way of being a nurse'. Action/interaction strategies were "˜becoming one's own self', "˜actively exploring the way of being a nurse', and "˜experiencing one's own achievement as a future nurse'. Consequences were "˜deciding on the career on one's own' and "˜career indecision on one's own'.
CONCLUSION
The findings indicate that nursing students tried to know themselves, explore careers and experience their achievements, and that their efforts were influenced by real situations and support systems. Therefore, nurse educators should develop systems and programs to help students in nursing make career decisions.

Keyword

Career choice; Students, Nursing; Qualitative research

MeSH Terms

Career Choice
Decision Making
Grounded Theory
Humans
Nursing*
Qualitative Research
Students, Nursing*