Comparison of the career identity and expectation among nursing graduate students with different types of degree

Abstract

Objective To compare the differences of the career identity and expectation of nursing graduate students between the postgraduate degree type of nursing specialist and science. Methods According to the convenience sampling, the study investigated 223 nursing graduate students from 12 universities in Shanghai, Beijing, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanxi, using the professional identity scale for nursing students(PISNS) and the career expectations scale. The participants included 110 students with master of nursing specialist(MNS) and 113 students with master of nursing(MN). Results The score of the career identity for MNS and MN were (58.77±9.01) and (58.42±12.10), with no statistical differences between the two groups (t=-0.250, P=0.803). The score of the career expectation for MN was (89.45±13.40) and higher than the score of (84.57±13.50) for MNS (t=2.708, P=0.007). Moreover, MN group presented higher career expectation of the three dimensions including the prestige status and stability, the intrinsic value and the extrinsic value (P<0.05). The top five expectations were equal and fair competition provision of the education opportunity provision of health care, pension, housing accumulation fund ability development and knowledge in practice . Conclusions There is not much difference for career identity between MNS and MN, but the career expectation is general higher for MN than MNS. All the nursing graduate students have more focus on the intrinsic value in career development. Meanwhile, leaders should also help them improve their self-development and professional values in future career. Key words: Nursing; Graduate student; Professional degree; Scientific degree; Career identity; Career expectation