When I grow up I want to be a…? Where undergraduate student nurses want to work after graduation

Abstract

It is assumed that the majority of students undertaking undergraduate nursing education want to become nurses. Little research, however, has examined the specific areas in which students intend to pursue their careers after graduation. This paper reviews the results of the author's research, which clearly indicates that students have firm preconceived ideas as to the areas in which they wish to practise in the future. Midwifery, paediatrics, operating theatre and critical/intensive care are highly favoured, while working with the elderly, psychiatric nursing and community health nursing are significantly less popular. The implications of this situation for the nursing profession are considered.