Image of Nurses Perceived by High School Students in Yogyakarta City

Abstract

Misperception of and misunderstanding about nurses among high school students will affect their interest in continuing their education to nursing department and will affect recruitment of nurse health personnel. This study aims at providing an illustration of image of nurse perceived by high school students in Yogyakarta city. It is a descriptive research using cross sectional approach involving 415 third grade students of Natural Science Program (IPA) in Yogyakarta City in January 2016. Data were collected using a questionnaire made by researchers by modifying the research of Seranath & Gunawerdana and questionnaire of May et al. Data were analyzed through univariate and bivariate analysis using chi square statistic test. The results of the study showed that of 415 respondents, 54.9% of respondents had high knowledge of nursing, 47% of respondents had positive perception of nurses, and 49.4% of respondents had interest in nursing. The results of statistical tests indicated that there is no correlation of students' knowledge and perceptions of nurses with their desire to continue education to the department of nursing. Recommendations: It is necessary to improve public perception for the image of nurses by providing information to high school students about nursing and its employment prospects.