Factors influencing the branch choice of students on a nursing undergraduate programme.

This study considered the factors that influenced the branch choice of students on a nursing undergraduate programme. On entry to the course students had to choose to pursue a programme either in adult general nursing or mental health nursing to honours degree level. A review of the literature on Project 2000 and factors influencing students' choice of nursing, and of particular specialisms identified, indicated factors which may have relevance to branch choice. Quantitative data were obtained through questionnaire (n = 28). Second qualitative data were collected by semistructured interview (n = 12). The findings of the study suggest that factors influencing branch choice are multiple, complex, inter-related and individual. Whilst the size of the sample groups were small some tentative implications for nurse education are examined.