A National Study of School Counselors' Perceptions of the Nursing Profession.

School counselors are uniquely poised to influence career development among middle and high school students interested in nursing. This study examined 204 school counselors' perceptions about nursing and secondary educational preparation. Despite national and local efforts to increase enrollment in baccalaureate and higher nursing programs, counselors remain unaware of the need for increased education in nursing. Nurse educators need to align with school counselors to adequately prepare students interested in nursing as a health career.