Career Decision-Making in Diverse Nursing Students: Choosing a Career in Nursing

Abstract

The nursing profession lacks diversity that reflects the population it serves. The population of LPN/LVN and ADN students are known to be more diverse than BSN students. Little is known about the differences between the students in the three levels of nursing programs (LPN/LVN, ADN, BSN), including reasons for choosing nursing, and barriers and facilitators. The McCord Nursing Career and Educational Decision Pathway Conceptual Framework guided this study. A quantitative survey was conducted of current nursing students in the US. The study asked demographic information as well as motivating factors, barriers, and facilitators for choosing nursing and their program type (LPN/LVN, ADN, BSN). Responses from 741 nursing students in LPN/LVN, ADN, and BSN programs from 26 states. The study found significant differences between the students in the three educational pathways. There are significant racial and financial differences and differences in reasons for choosing nursing, educational background, commitments outside of school, and barriers to goal achievement. LPN/LVN students were more likely to be Black and ADN students were more likely to be Hispanic. There was greater racial diversity in the LPN/LVN and ADN groups. LPN/LVN students are more likely to identify nursing as their first career choice and most want to be an RN. LPN/LVN and ADN students were more worried than BSN students about their family commitments, financial obligations, and their ability to succeed in nursing school. Some of the lack of diversity in BSN programs reflects the challenges that racial minorities face in goal achievement. Identified barriers include outside financial commitments, the cost vii of nursing programs, and the length of time of the programs. The goal to increase diversity in nursing should consider the entire population of those who want to become nurses.