Chinese Nursing Students Research Articles

Priority analysis of educational needs related to geriatric nursing competence among Chinese undergraduate nursing students: Application of Borich needs assessment, importance-performance analysis and locus for focus model.

This study aimed to assess and identify the priority of educational needs for geriatric nursing competence among Chinese undergraduate nursing students. The increased aging population puts new challenges in geriatric nursing care. Competence in geriatric nursing is essential for nursing students to be well-equipped to be qualified nurses in their future work to meet the growing demand for geriatric nursing. However, research on the educational needs of geriatric nursing competence among nursing students is limited. A descriptive study with online questionnaire surveys was conducted. The Geriatric Nursing Competence Scale for Clinical Nurses was used to measure nursing undergraduate students' perception of the importance and performance of geriatric nursing competence. Borich'sNeeds Assessment, Important-Performance Analysis (IPA) and the Locus for focus (LF)model were used to analyze thepriorityinnursingstudents' educational needs of geriatric nursing competence. Items related to geriatric nursing competence had lower performance than importance, emphasizing the need for education. The results showed that three items in the professional practice competence and three items in professional development competence were determined to be the highest priority items by ranking the top 10 in Borich's Needs Assessment and located in the highly important but had low-performance quadrant of IPA and fell within the high-discrepancy and high-importance quadrant of the LF model simultaneously. The priorities of educational needs for geriatric nursing competence among undergraduate nursing students identified in this study provide a reference for effective educational planning and innovation.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the professional commitment of male nursing students in China: a descriptive comparative study.

The social culture, gender stereotypes, and social status of nursing in China impact the professional commitment of male nursing students. Increasing the professional commitment of male nursing students is critical for alleviating the shortage of nurses and addressing the gender gap. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread public concern about the nursing profession and may have changed people's perception of the profession, which in turn may have a positive impact on the professional commitment of male nursing students in China. This research aimed to assess how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the professional commitment of male nursing students in China and to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on potential factors that might affect their professional commitment. A descriptive comparative study was conducted. This study involved total 368 male nursing students from five 4-year universities in Henan Province, China. 190 male nursing students were included before the COVID-19 pandemic (October to November 2019) and 178 were included after the COVID-19 pandemic (April to May 2023). The data, such as the sociodemographic characteristics and professional commitment of the two samples, were collected using a paper-and-pencil questionnaire. The research instruments used included the Professional Commitment Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the General Self-efficacy Scale. The data analysis employed χ2-tests, t-tests and hierarchical regression models. The proportion of Chinese male nursing students who are interested in nursing and do not intend to leave the major has increased after the pandemic (65.17% vs. 29.47%, 61.80% vs. 39.47%, respectively). Male nursing students exhibited greater professional commitment (3.30 ± 0.63) after the pandemic compared to before the pandemic (2.77 ± 0.43). The various factors, such as grade, intend to leave the major, interest in nursing, social support, and general self-efficacy, were linked to professional commitment of male nursing students in China. Male nursing students in China exhibited greater professional commitment after the pandemic. This phenomenon may be attributed to the public's increased recognition of the significance of nursing work during the pandemic, and the social status and image of nursing profession have been improved. Given the changes brought about by the COVID-19, strategies should be considered by nursing decision makers and schools to strengthen the professional commitment of male nursing students and increase the number of male nurses in the post-pandemic era.

Chinese nursing students’ academic self-concept and deep learning in online courses: Does psychological capital play a moderating role?

The advent of online education has become indispensable for nursing students seeking to acquire knowledge. However, the efficacy of online education often falls short of initial expectations. Deep learning (DL) can assist learners tackle complex problems and make innovative decisions. Despite its potential, there has been limited exploration into the underlying mechanisms of DL among nursing students, both domestically and globally. This study examined the potential moderating effect of psychological capital (PC) on the association between academic self-concept (AS-c) and DL among nursing students from China enrolled in online courses. Conducted from October 2022 to January 2023, the survey involved 635 nursing students from four public universities in eastern China, utilizing convenience sampling. Data was collected using the AS-c scale, psychological capital scale, and DL scale in online courses. Correlation analyses, univariate analyses, multiple linear regression analyses, and the PROCESS macro were employed for a comprehensive examination. The results revealed a strong positive relationship between nursing students' DL and both their AS-c (r = 0.766, P < 0.01) and PC (r = 0.714, P < 0.01), respectively. Additionally, the effect of AS-c on DL was stronger among individuals with high PC (β = 0.34, SE = 0.03, P < 0.001) compared to those with low (β = 0.29, SE = 0.02, P < 0.001) or medium (β = 0.24, SE = 0.02, P < 0.001) levels of PC, indicating that PC exerts moderating effects and promotes DL among nursing students enrolled in online courses. Based on these findings, several implications are suggested for the theory and practice of facilitating DL.

Social support and work readiness of Chinese final-year nursing students: The moderating role of psychological resilience

We explored the relationships among perceived social support, psychological resilience, and work readiness of final-year nursing students. Participants included 376 Chinese final-year nursing students (female = 83.8%; mean age = 20.24 years, SD = 1.37 years). They completed the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Work Readiness Scale for graduate nurses. Hierarchical regression analysis results showed that social support was significantly associated with higher work readiness. Further, social support was associated with higher psychological resilience. Psychological resilience partially mediated the relationship between social support and work readiness to be higher. These study findings suggest a need for targeted student social support programs to increase their psychological resilience, which is important for increasing their work readiness.

College Students' Employability, Cognition, and Demands for ChatGPT in the AI Era Among Chinese Nursing Students: Web-Based Survey.

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and the widespread use of ChatGPT, nursing students' artificial intelligence quotient (AIQ), employability, cognition, and demand for ChatGPT are worthy of attention. We aimed to investigate Chinese nursing students' AIQ and employability status as well as their cognition and demand for the latest AI tool-ChatGPT. This study was conducted to guide future initiatives in nursing intelligence education and to improve the employability of nursing students. We used a cross-sectional survey to understand nursing college students' AIQ, employability, cognition, and demand for ChatGPT. Using correlation analysis and multiple hierarchical regression analysis, we explored the relevant factors in the employability of nursing college students. In this study, out of 1788 students, 1453 (81.30%) had not used ChatGPT, and 1170 (65.40%) had never heard of ChatGPT before this survey. College students' employability scores were positively correlated with AIQ, self-regulation ability, and their home location and negatively correlated with school level. Additionally, men scored higher on college students' employability compared to women. Furthermore, 76.5% of the variance was explained by the multiple hierarchical regression model for predicting college students' employability scores. Chinese nursing students have limited familiarity and experience with ChatGPT, while their AIQ remains intermediate. Thus, educators should pay more attention to cultivating nursing students' AIQ and self-regulation ability to enhance their employability. Employability, especially for female students, those from rural backgrounds, and students in key colleges, deserves more attention in future educational efforts.

Perceived parenting style and Chinese nursing undergraduates’ learning motivation: The chain mediating roles of self-efficacy and positive coping style

The aim of this study was to examine the chain mediating effects of self-efficacy and positive coping style on the relationship between parenting style and learning motivation in Chinese nursing students. Despite the abundance of literature that focuses on learning motivation, there is a lack of research that accurately and thoroughly examines the factors that influence learning motivation among nursing students. This study involved a cross-sectional design. In total, 677 Chinese undergraduate nursing students completed the parental bonding instrument, the general self-efficacy scale, the simplified coping style questionnaire, and the learning motivation scale. A structural equation model was performed with AMOS 26.0 to explore the influence paths of variables and the mediating effects of self-efficacy and coping style. Parental care positively predicted intrinsic learning motivation directly or indirectly through the mediating effects of self-efficacy (B = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.12-0.23) and positive coping style (B = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01-0.06), and this mediating effect contributed 54.06% of the total effect. Parental encouraging autonomy positively predicted intrinsic learning motivation indirectly through the mediating effects of self-efficacy (B = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.12-0.24) and positive coping style (B = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01-0.06), and this mediating effect contributed 71.42% of the total effect. Parental control negatively influenced intrinsic learning motivation directly or indirectly through the mediating effects of self-efficacy (B = -0.10, 95% CI: -0.15 to -0.04) and positive coping style (B = -0.02, 95% CI: -0.05 to -0.01), and this mediating effect contributed 42.85% of the total effect. Parents should provide more care and autonomy to nursing students and reduce control over them. Nurse educators should consider targeted improvement strategies to improve the level of self-efficacy and positive coping style of nursing undergraduates to enable them to maintain a more intrinsic learning motivation.

Perspective and Experience of Male Nursing Students in 3-year Vocational College During Their Clinical Practicum: A Qualitative Study in Shanghai, China.

BackgroundWith the expansion of nursing enrollment, more and more male students are joining the nursing program. Nevertheless, the number of male nurses who actually stay in clinical work in China continues to be low. Clinical practicum is a critical period during which nursing students transform to the role of registered nurses. However, few studies have researched the perspective and experience during clinical practicum among male nursing students in 3-year vocational colleges in China.ObjectivesTo explore the perspective and experience of Chinese male nursing students during clinical practicum in the third year. One of the main objectives is to provide implications for future nursing education and to help male nursing students for better adaptation to clinical roles.MethodsThe qualitative study used a purposive sampling method and collected data through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The participants were 20 male students from a 3-year vocational college in Shanghai. They completed the basic nursing course in college and underwent a clinical practicum in the 3rd level hospitals in China between July 2020 and March 2021. A Seven-stage Colaizzi process was used for data analysis.ResultsThree themes were revealed through content analysis: opportunities and challenges brought by gender factors in hospital humanistic environment, gaining experience and growth during clinical practicum, and future career planning.ConclusionsThe presented findings further our understanding of the perspective and experience of male nursing students during clinical practicum. It is very important and necessary for providing implications for future nursing education. At the same time, effective support from society, such as social unions, mass media, government, can help better address male nursing students' needs and complete the role transform of registered nurses.

The mediating effect of psychological capital on the relationship between psychological stress and distress among chinese nursing students: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundWith the COVID-19 outbreak in China, the Chinese government took measures to prevent and control the spread of the virus. In-person teaching was replaced by distance learning, which was an unknown challenge for students. In this context, little is known about the perceived distress of nursing students and the relationship between psychological capital, perceived distress, and psychological stress. This study examined the relationship between psychological capital, psychological distress, and perceived stress, and the mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between perceived stress and psychological distress among nursing students.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and December 2020 using a convenience sampling method involving 359 undergraduate and specialist nursing students at a tertiary hospital in Shandong Province. Standardised instruments were used to measure psychological capital, psychological stress, and perceived stress. We used SPSS 24.0 and PROCESS macro to analyse the data.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference in perceived stress among students based on whether they liked the nursing profession (P < 0.01). Relative to nursing college students, undergraduates experienced significantly higher levels of perceived stress (P < 0.01). Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in perceived stress according to gender, place of residence, and being an only child. Psychological distress was positively correlated (r = 0.632, p < 0.001) with perceived stress (r =-0.662, p < 0.001), whereas it was negatively correlated with psychological capital. Psychological capital played a potential mediating role in the relationship between psychological distress and perceived stress.ConclusionsPsychological distress was negatively correlated with psychological capital, and positively correlated with perceived stress. Mediation analyses indicated that psychological capital partially mediated the relationship between perceived stress and psychological distress. Educators should therefore heed students’ perceived stress and develop appropriate mental health counselling programmes for students in the curriculum that could help them reduce their psychological distress. In clinical practice, nursing managers must take effective measures, such as skills training, to improve the psychological capital of nursing students and reduce the negative impact of their psychological distress.

Cross-cultural validation and psychometric testing of the Debriefing Experience Scale (DES): a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe Debriefing Experience Scale (DES) is a tool that is used to explore nursing students’ subjective experiences during a debriefing and to help determine best debriefing practices. A Chinese version of the scale has not been found; its development can enhance learning in simulation activites in Chinese healthcare education programs.MethodsA simplified Chinese version of the DES was developed and tested using 34 Chinese undergraduate (second year) nursing students. They participated in six simulation scenarios and debriefings. Eight experts were consulted to determine the content validity of the scale. Critical ratio method, Cronbach’s alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient, correlation coefficient and factor analysis were used in testing the psychometric properties of the scale.ResultsAnalysis of 200 scales showed that the simplified Chinese version of the DES had good potential in discriminatiing Chinese nursing students’ experiences of debriefing.ConclusionsThe simplified Chinese DES was effective in evaluating the experience of debriefing. A larger sample size and multicenter research is needed to confirm these findings.

Network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in Chinese female nursing students

BackgroundComorbidity between depressive and anxiety disorders is common. From network perspective, mental disorders arise from direct interactions between symptoms and comorbidity is due to direct interactions between depression and anxiety symptoms. The current study investigates the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in Chinese female nursing students and identifies the central and bridge symptoms as well as how other symptoms in present network are related to depression symptom “thoughts of death”.MethodsTo understand the full spectrum of depression and anxiety, we recruited 776 Chinese female nursing students with symptoms of depression and anxiety that span the full range of normal to abnormal. Depression symptoms were measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 while anxiety symptoms were measured by Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Questionnaire. Network analysis was used to construct networks. Specifically, we computed the predictability, expected influence and bridge expected influence for each symptom and showed a flow network of “thoughts of death”.ResultsNine strongest edges existed in network were from the same disorder. Four were between depression symptoms, like “sleep difficulties” and “fatigue”, and “anhedonia” and “fatigue”. Five were between anxiety symptoms, like “nervousness or anxiety” and “worry too much”, and “restlessness” and “afraid something will happen”. The symptom “fatigue”, “feeling of worthlessness” and “irritable” had the highest expected influence centrality. Results also revealed two bridge symptoms: “depressed or sad mood” and “irritable”. As to “thoughts of death”, the direct relations between it and “psychomotor agitation/retardation” and “feeling of worthlessness” were the strongest direct relations.ConclusionsThe current study highlighted critical central symptoms “fatigue”, “feeling of worthlessness” and “irritable” and critical bridge symptoms “depressed or sad mood” and “irritable”. Particularly, “psychomotor agitation/retardation” and “feeling of worthlessness” were identified as key priorities due to their strongest associations with suicide ideation. Implications for clinical prevention and intervention based on these symptoms are discussed.

A comparative study of dementia knowledge, attitudes and care approach among Chinese nursing and medical students

BackgroundDementia care requires inter-disciplinary collaboration starting from formal health professional education. Yet, little is known about how undergraduate medical and nursing students perceive dementia care in China. The aim of this study was to investigate undergraduate medical and nursing students’ dementia knowledge, attitudes and care approach in China.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted. Students enrolled in a 5-year Bachelor of Medicine Program and a 4-year Bachelor of Nursing Program from four universities with campuses across Eastern, Western, Southern and Northern China were recruited into the study. Three validated instruments, Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS), Dementia Care Attitude Scale (DCAS) and Approach to Advanced Dementia Care Questionnaire (ADCQ), were used to examine students’ dementia knowledge, attitudes and perceived care approach. Data were collected using a self-administered survey.ResultsThe number of medical and nursing students completing the survey was 526 and 467 respectively. Students’ overall knowledge about dementia was poor, but attitudes were generally positive. The overall mean score of students’ dementia knowledge examined by the ADKS was 19.49 (SD = 2.82) out of 30, students’ attitudes to dementia was 29.92(SD = 3.35) out of 40, and students’ person-centred care approach of dementia was 5.42 (SD = 2.20) out of 13. Medical students demonstrated higher dementia knowledge scores and showed less positive attitude scores than nursing students (p < 0.05). Students would not apply a person-centred care approach. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean scores of ADCQ between nursing students and medical students.ConclusionsStudy results highlight the urgent need to implement an inter-disciplinary approach to increasing dementia education among Chinese medical and nursing students, and ensuring that students have adequate knowledge, attitudes and experience in the care of people with dementia.

Professional Identity of Male Nursing Students in 3-Year Colleges and Junior Male Nurses in China

Purpose:To investigate the changing tendency and influencing factors of the professional identity of male nursing students in 3-year colleges and junior male nurses in China.Background:In China, the majority of nurses are 3-year nursing college graduates, among which male nurses are underrepresented. Many male nurses leave the profession 3 or 4 years after graduation. Little is known about the professional identity of Chinese male nursing students in 3-year colleges and junior male nurses.Methods:This study included 237 male nursing students from a 3-year college and 33 junior male nurses with less than 3 years of experience in China. By using the data collected with the Professional Identity Questionnaire of Nursing Students and through in-depth semistructured interviews from November 2019 to April 2020, t-test, and ANOVA analysis in SPSS22.0 were conducted and thematic analysis was applied to interviews.Results:Compared with undergraduate nursing students, Chinese male nursing students in 3-year colleges had a better professional identity, displaying a declining tendency with grades. Junior male nurses reported the lowest professional identity. Demographic factors such as family residence and presence of relatives in medical service were positively related to professional identity. Low professional identity was related to heavy workload as well as gender stereotypes. Two unique contextual factors influenced the professional identity: (a) curriculum setting and (b) nurse exams.Conclusion:College education and initial working experience were critical to professional identity formation for male nurses. Appropriate measures need to be taken to improve professional identity and promote gender diversity.

Self-reported confidence in patient safety competencies among Chinese nursing students: a multi-site cross-sectional survey

BackgroundNursing interns are an important backup force for nursing professionals, so efforts to strengthen their patient safety (PS) competencies are a major priority. To do so requires assessing the strengths and weaknesses of Chinese nursing students’ PS competence and identifying the influencing factors.MethodsThis was a multi-site, cross-sectional, web-based study that was carried out between September 2018 and January 2019. A national online survey was completed by 732 Chinese undergraduate nursing students. Our primary outcome factor was the Health Professional Education in Patient Safety Survey score. We also collected socio-demographic and clinical practice-related characteristics as independent variables.Multiple stepwise linear regression was performed to identify predictors of PS competence.ResultsChinese undergraduate nursing students were fairly confident in their clinical safety skills but less confident in what they learned about sociocultural or context-dependent aspects of PS and speaking up about PS, including effective communication and understanding human and environmental factors. Less than half of the students felt that they could approach someone engaging in unsafe practice and were reluctant to voice concern about adverse events. We observed significant differences in PS competence between students from different regions, across different PS learning styles (self-study and classroom theoretical study), with different self-assessed PS competence levels, and with experiences of adverse events (p < 0.05). These factors accounted for almost 15% of the total variance in PS competence scores (adjusted R2 = 0.15, p = 0.00).ConclusionsThe results of this study provide a better understanding of PS competence among final-year nursing students in China. Our findings may help nursing educators or healthcare organizations to cultivate and improve PS competence by establishing documented policies or by improving the efficacy of intervention.

The mediating role of perceived prejudice in the relationship between self-esteem and psychological distress among Chinese male nursing students.

Male nursing students may experience social prejudice, which may lead to psychological distress. However, few quantitative studies have focused on their mental health. This study aimed to explore the relationship among self-esteem, perceived prejudice, and psychological distress in male nursing students, and compare differences in self-esteem, perceived prejudice, and psychological distress, as well as the relationships among these variables between male nursing students who selected nursing as their first choice for a major and those who did not. A survey based on a cross-sectional design was used. Self-esteem, perceived prejudice, and psychological distress of 460 male nursing students in China were measured using the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, a self-developed questionnaire, and the Kessler 10, respectively. Structural equation modeling was adopted to test the theoretical model regarding the relationships among self-esteem, perceived prejudice, and psychological distress. The results indicated that 82.2% of the participants reported psychological distress. The participants who did not select nursing as their first choice for a major reported a significantly higher perceived prejudice, higher prevalence of psychological distress, and lower self-esteem. Therefore, when selecting male students, nursing schools must prioritize those who selected nursing as their first choice for a major.

Educational experience of male students in a baccalaureate nursing program in China.

Hampered by culture norms and social values, the proportion of male nursing students in China is low. Their learning experience will add weight to culturally valid nursing education. This study explored Chinese male nursing students' educational experience in a baccalaureate nursing program. A qualitative approach was used, with a purposive sample of 14 participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed for thematic content. Four theme clusters emerged from the findings: choosing nursing as a career, challenges to studying nursing by gender, dilemma to nursing profession and personal benefits of studying nursing. Most of the participants passively chose nursing major. The data provided evidence that Chinese culture hindered male engaged in nursing. Low admission scores of nursing in NCEE provide an opportunity to recruit male student. Positive aspects of gender neutral portrayal of nursing help to recruit more male nursing students.

Attitude and Intention Regarding Pain Management among Chinese Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Survey

Optimal pain management is a priority in effective nursing care. Lack of sufficient pain knowledge associated with inadequate pain management has been proved. However, the intention, defined as the predictor of behavior, regarding pain management remains unknown. Therefore, the study was to determine the attitude and intention regarding pain management among Chinese nursing students and investigate the underlying determinants and their interactions in terms of intention toward pain management. The Pain Management Survey Questionnaire, comprising the key determinants of the theory of planned behavior—that is, direct attitude, belief-based intention, subjective norm, direct control, and indirect control—was used to collect data from 512 nursing students who undertook clinical rotation in an affiliated hospital of a medical college in China. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t test, Pearson correlation analysis, or structural equation modeling analysis. Chinese nursing students reported negative attitudes and behavioral intentions toward pain management. Direct control, subjective norm, belief-based attitude, and indirect control independently predicted nursing students' intention to treat patients with pain. Direct control was the strongest predictor. Structural equation modeling analysis further revealed 39.84% of the variance associated with intention that could be explained by determinants of the theory of planned behavior. Additionally, educational school level and previous pain management training had great effects on pain management intention. Overall, this study identified intention as an important factor in effective pain treatment. Chinese nursing students have negative attitudes and insufficient intention to pain management. Therefore, hospitals and universities in China should manage these factors to improve nursing students’ practice regarding pain management.

The status of professional identity and professional self-efficacy of nursing students in China and how the medical documentaries affect them: A quasi-randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesProfessional identity and self-efficacy are important for the education and career development of students. However, how to improve these factors among Chinese nursing students needs further study. This quasi-randomized control trial was designed to explore the effect of medical documentaries on professional self-efficacy and identity among nursing students in Chinese technical schools. MethodsA total of 277 nursing students were enrolled in this study and divided into an experimental group (n = 135) and a control group (n = 142). The experimental group was invited to watch Chinese medical documentaries, whereas the control group remained on a waiting list. A self-designed general questionnaire, along with professional identity and professional self-efficacy questionnaires, was completed by the nursing students. ResultsNo significant change in professional self-efficacy was observed (−3.55 ± 14.23, P = 0.173) in the experimental group, while professional identity significantly declined (−6.24 ± 12.85, P = 0.002) after the intervention. No significant change was found in the two aspects in the control group. ConclusionMedical documentaries negatively affect professional identity but do not affect professional self-efficacy. Further researches should be conducted to explore the real reasons.

“They are friendly but they don’t want to be friends with you”: A narrative inquiry into Chinese nursing students’ learning experience in Australia

There is increasing interest in the phenomena of international student mobility and the growing global demand for skilled nurses. Little is known, however, about the learning experiences of Chinese nursing students at Australian universities. This study begins to address this gap. A narrative inquiry methodology was employed. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions, along with field notes and observations were conducted with six Chinese undergraduate nursing students studying undergraduate nursing in Western Australia. Chinese nursing students in Australia experienced fear and anxiety, driven by unfamiliarity with the hospital environment, education methods, and assessment expectations. Clinical placement experiences in Australian health services were identified by participants as the most stressful learning experience. Forming friendships with domestic students was difficult and rare for these students: none made friends with local students or joined university groups. Despite the challenges they experienced, the participants were motivated and adaptive to a new culture and learning methods, and all, demonstrated academic success. This study provides new knowledge about the learning experiences of Chinese nursing students at Australian universities. Many of the issues identified relate to the wider discussion around effective support for international students.

The influence of perceived prejudice on willingness to be a nurse via the mediating effect of satisfaction with major: A cross-sectional study among chinese male nursing students

BackgroundThe gender-based stereotype of nursing as a female profession has been a large obstacle to men entering the nursing profession. However, there is little quantitative research on the influence of prejudice induced by this stereotype on male nursing students' willingness to be nurses. ObjectivesTo examine the effect of perceived prejudice on willingness to be a nurse via the mediating effect of satisfaction with major among Chinese male nursing students. DesignA cross-sectional survey was used. MethodsFour hundred and sixty male nursing students who were enrolled either in bachelor's programs in universities or advanced diploma programs in colleges in Jinan, China, were surveyed using questionnaires measuring perceived prejudice, satisfaction with major, and willingness to be a nurse. Structural equation modeling with bias-corrected bootstrapping was employed to determine the influence of perceived prejudice on willingness to be a nurse with major satisfaction as a mediator. ResultsMale students who were in an advanced diploma nursing program and those for whom nursing was the first-choice major reported significantly less perceived prejudice, greater satisfaction with major, and greater willingness to be nurses than did those in a bachelor's nursing program and those for whom nursing was not the first-choice major, respectively. Moreover, although perceived prejudice had no significant direct effect on willingness to be a nurse (β=0.07, p>0.05), it did have a strong indirect effect (full mediation) via satisfaction with major (β=−0.59, p<0.001). ConclusionsPerceived prejudice strongly influenced male nursing students' willingness to be nurses via the full mediating effect of satisfaction with major. Because this obsolete stereotype of nursing as a female occupation gives birth to prejudice against male nursing students, effective measures should be taken to change this stereotype to recruit more men as nursing staff.

An ethnographical study on the academic experiences of Chinese male nursing students

Because there have been very few recent studies focusing on the nursing studies of Chinese male learners in Hong Kong, this paper reports some findings on the educational experiences of such students from a local university, giving them a chance to voice out their concerns and express their feelings. In this qualitative ethnographical study, 18 second- to fourth-year male nursing students were recruited by purposive snowball sampling and invited to participate in individual semi-structured interviews for the collecting of data. The taped recordings were transcribed and translated. Following this, five themes were identified for content analysis. The findings of this study suggest that people would be more likely to accept male nurses; and male nursing students would be more able see their role as nurses with the acceptance of some feminine subjects in the nursing curriculum. This study provided male nursing students the chance to express their thoughts and experiences on nursing education, which will suggest further modifications to the curriculum design and implementation.