| The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine why an individual chooses nursing as a career and why nurses continue to practice in the role of a nurse. A survey was modified from Kersten, Bakewell, and Meyer (1991). Seventy registered nurses, 43 from a health care facility and 27 registered nurses from a university nursing school completed the survey. Results from a content analysis showed that financial need was the highest motivational factor for choosing nursing as a career. When asked what nursing meant to them, the majority identified caring. Nurturance was most oftened listed as the most important reason for choosing nursing. Emotional and financial needs were the factors most often listed for continuing to work in nursing. Findings indicate that using this information can help promote nursing as a career and increase nurse retention. |
