The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of motivating factors and characteristics of the nursing profession on students selecting nursing as a career. Students from three types of programs in North Carolina (N = 495) were asked to complete a survey during the first month of their nursing program. Motivating factors influencing the decision to become a nurse were past experience with a loved one or self being ill and/or hospitalized, past health care work experience, and having a family member or friend who was a nurse. Characteristics about the nursing profession influencing career decisions were care and concern for others, job security, and variety of work settings. None of the motivating factors nor characteristics of the nursing profession differed among students from each program type. Data from this survey can be used to developed appropriate recruitment strategies for each program type.

The potential usefulness to gerontological nursing practice of nursing as well as non-nursing research was studied. The empirical phase of nursing research was also compared with that of medical, behavioral science, and multidisciplinary research. Although the quantity of nursing research reviewed was small, nearly 80% was judged to be potentially useful to the practice of gerontological nursing. About one third of the non-nursing research was judged potentially useful. These findings are relevant to all nurses, indicating the value on non-nursing as well as nursing research to nursing practice. Overall, the design of nursing research compared favorably to the design of non-nursing research.

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