Identification of information and factors influencing grade 12 learners' choice of nursing as a career in the Tshwane north district schools

Abstract

Introduction: The majority of learners until Grade 12 lack adequate information about nurs-ing as a career. Fewer learners select nursing as a career whilst in Grade 12; as evidenced by the intake of student nurses from various nursing colleges around South Africa. The pro-vision of career choice information, career development and career counselling services in South Africa are still fragmented. This study will assist in identifying information provided to Grade 12 learners on nursing as a career and factors influencing their choice of nursing as a career in the Tshwane North district schools in Gauteng province, South Africa. Aim/Objective: The aim of the study was to identify information and factors influencing Grade 12 learners’ choice of nursing as a career in the Tshwane North district schools, Gauteng province in South Africa. Methods and procedures: Descriptive quantitative design and survey method was followed to determine and describe the information given to Grade 12 learners on nursing as a career and factors influencing the choice of nursing as a career amongst Grade 12 learners in the Tshwane North district schools. The study population was ± 7000 Grade 12 learners from 36 high schools in the Tshwane North district within Gauteng province in South Africa. Tshwane North district is divided into four clusters. Two schools from each cluster were randomly selected by means of systematic random sampling in order to have equal repre-sentatives. A self-administered questionnaire that focused on information provided on nurs-ing as a career and factors influencing choice of nursing as a career was administered to 362 selected Grade 12 learners from the selected eight schools to generate data for this study. Data was analysed by means of descriptive and inference statistics. Findings: The study revealed the provision of inadequate information about nursing career to Grade 12 learners from various sources and that learners reached Grade 12 with no information provided about nursing as a career. Though some learners were provided with information, they still had limited knowledge about a career in nursing. Parents mostly influ-enced the career choice, more so than Teachers and media. Some learners who chose a nursing career were influenced by the fact that their parents could not afford tertiary fees. Conclusion: The findings revealed that parents, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and Life Orientation Teachers provided learners with adequate information on nursing as a ca-reer in the Tshwane North district schools.