Factors associated with nursing students’ willingness to care for older adults in Korea and the United States

Abstract

ObjectiveElderly health care needs increase and nurses' role for elderlies is vital. It is significant to identify nursing students' intention to care for elderlies. Thus, this study investigated nursing students’ willingness to care for elderlies in Korea and the United States.MethodsThe study was conducted with 437 undergraduate nursing students from Korea and the United States from May 25 to 31, 2018. Participants completed a survey including frequency and quality of contact, anxiety about aging, empathy, attitude toward elderly, and willingness to care.ResultsStudy findings from the entire group showed that nursing students’ willingness to care for the elderly was positively associated with contact quality (β = 0.22, P < 0.001) and empathy (β = 0.12, P = 0.009) but negatively associated with anxiety about aging (β = −0.23, P < 0.001) and attitude toward the elderly (β = −0.14, P = 0.004). Contact quality (β = 0.30, P < 0.001) was positively associated with the willingness to care in Korean students, whereas extended family living type (β = −0.15, P = 0.012) and attitude toward the elderly (β = −0.18, P = 0.005) negatively associated in US students.ConclusionThis study suggested that nursing educators reinforce contact quality and empathy but reduce anxiety about aging and attitude toward elderly to enhance future nurses’ care quality.

Attitudes and work preferences toward older people among Malay undergraduate nursing students

“…The finding was not consistent with those of earlier studies, which found a significant association between work preferences and attitudes. 13,14,21,22 However, the finding was similar to those of previous studies. 24,25 It might be due to limited exposure to aged care in the clinical setting that has influenced their work preference in aged care, although the students may have a positive attitude toward older people.…”

“…A positive association between attitudes and work preferences with older people was reported in some studies. 13,14,[21][22][23] However, several studies have reported that there was no significant association between attitudes and work preferences toward older people. 24,25 It was reported that although nursing students have a positive attitude toward older people, they are not interested in aged care.…”

“…28 It can be concluded that religion, such as Islam, may play an important role in the issue of caring for the older people. 29 Due to limited studies assessing the association between attitudes and work preferences toward older people among Malaysia population 12 and different findings from previous studies, 13,14,21,22,24,25 it is important to further explore on this topic. Thus, this study aimed to examine the association between attitudes and work preferences focusing on Malay undergraduate nursing students.…”

Job burnout and its influencing factors among newly graduated nurses: A cross‐sectional study

“…With the development of health‐related businesses, nurses are invaluable health talents. However, global ageing puts higher demands on health care, requiring nurses to provide better healthcare services (Jang et al, 2019). Due to an increasing number of nurses close to retirement age (Buchan et al, 2015), the shortage of nurses has become a current concern in many countries.…”

Nursing students' willingness to work in geriatric care: An integrative review

“…Similarly, Shen and Xiao (2012) and Xiao et al (2013) determined that discriminatory attitudes towards older people were a negatively influencing factor in work related to gerontological nursing. Cheng et al (2015), and Jang, Oh, et al (2019) revealed that anxiety about ageing negatively affects the expectancy and value aspects to choose geriatric nursing as a career and the willingness to care for older people.…”