Kaara Ray B Calma1, Anna Williams2, Susan McInnes3, Elizabeth Halcomb4. 1. School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. Electronic address: krbc929@uowmail.edu.au. 2. Discipline Lead Primary Health Care and Chronic Illness, School of Nursing, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia. Electronic address: anna.williams@nd.edu.au. 3. School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. Electronic address: smcinnes@uow.edu.au. 4. Professor of Primary Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. Electronic address: ehalcomb@uow.edu.au.
Abstract
AIM/ OBJECTIVE: This paper sought to investigate the perceptions of final-year nursing students regarding general practice nursing as a new graduate career path. BACKGROUND: General practice nurses have become increasingly important in providing community-based care, in response to the growing burden of chronic conditions and the ageing population. To sustain this workforce, there is a need to optimise strategies to promote a consistent supply of new graduate nurses. DESIGN: This qualitative descriptive study was undertaken within a sequential explanatory mixed methods project. METHODS: Data were collected through semi-structured telephone interviews with sixteen final-year nursing students from five Australian universities. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified, namely; a) general practice is not a priority career path, b) opportunities for skills development and consolidation, c) perceptions of employment conditions, and d) transition support is limited. CONCLUSION: To meet current workforce needs in areas with increasing demand, nurse educators need to support undergraduate nursing students to explore a wide range of career pathways following graduation. Informed career choices and well-structured educational preparation during undergraduate education may be an effective strategy in building a sustainable future workforce in settings such as general practice. Crown
AIM/ OBJECTIVE: This paper sought to investigate the perceptions of final-year nursing students regarding general practice nursing as a new graduate career path. BACKGROUND: General practice nurses have become increasingly important in providing community-based care, in response to the growing burden of chronic conditions and the ageing population. To sustain this workforce, there is a need to optimise strategies to promote a consistent supply of new graduate nurses. DESIGN: This qualitative descriptive study was undertaken within a sequential explanatory mixed methods project. METHODS: Data were collected through semi-structured telephone interviews with sixteen final-year nursing students from five Australian universities. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified, namely; a) general practice is not a priority career path, b) opportunities for skills development and consolidation, c) perceptions of employment conditions, and d) transition support is limited. CONCLUSION: To meet current workforce needs in areas with increasing demand, nurse educators need to support undergraduate nursing students to explore a wide range of career pathways following graduation. Informed career choices and well-structured educational preparation during undergraduate education may be an effective strategy in building a sustainable future workforce in settings such as general practice. Crown