What Do High School Guidance Counselors Really Think of Nursing?

Abstract

With the increasing nursing shortage, it is imperative that nursing programs attract and retain students who will be successful in becoming competent, caring practitioners. High school guidance counselors can influence the career choices of students. To do so, these professionals must have an accurate understanding of the attributes that will facilitate a career in nursing, as well as the changing roles of nurses. This study determined the current perceptions of high school guidance counselors regarding nursing. Overall, guidance counselors had realistic perceptions of nursing and identified personal and cognitive attributes of students that would promote success in nursing. However, nurses involved in the recruitment of students need to ensure that guidance counselors have more accurate perceptions of the changing role of nurses, opportunities for practice outside hospital settings, and the importance of problem-solving abilities and leadership skills for nurses.

Preferences of Israeli nursing students in choosing their future workplace

“…According to recent research, it is recommended that emphasis should be placed on humanistic and altruistic values education in training programmes. Bolan and Grainger (2005) argued that nursing recruitment should take place during high school via guidance counsellors. In their research it was evident that counsellors have a realistic perception of the nursing profession.…”

Recruiting middle school students into nursing: An integrative review

“…Students choose nursing because they value a career involving a willingness to care for others . A systematic review of the public's image of nursing confirmed that the public sees nurses as caring individuals; but not requiring academic rigor .…”

Guidance counselors' perceptions of high school Family and Consumer Sciences programs: a case study of eight guidance counselors in Eastern Iowa

“…In the past decade, studies have been conducted to examine the relationship between the role of high school guidance counselors and their perceptions regarding specific career content areas (Bolan & Grainger, 2005;Erwin, Moran & McInnis, 1996;Woodard & Herren, 1995). Recommendations in each study revealed the need for providing guidance counselors with regular and current information and the understanding necessary to accurately present each specific content area as a possible career choice to students.…”

“…The guidance counselor can be instrumental in promoting Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs with a focus on Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) careers. There are many factors influencing the career guidance offered by a counselor including knowledge, awareness, and image of a specific career area (Bolan & Grainger, 2005: Erwin, Moran & McInnis: 1996, Inana, 1985Woodard & Herren, 1995).…”

“…There are many factors influencing the career guidance offered by a counselor including knowledge, awareness, and image of a specific career area (Bolan & Grainger, 2005; Erwin,…”