Interest in Public Health Careers Among Undergraduate Student Nurses

Abstract

Career interests for nurses are developed in part through field experiences while in nursing school. Interest in public health careers may be nurtured through field experiences in local health departments.

Factors That Influence the Recruitment and Retention of Nurses in Public Health Agencies

“…[1][2][3]5 Without these valuable members of the workforce, public health departments may struggle to meet the increasing demands for health promotion and prevention. 3,13,14,21 Many recruitment and retention factors that influence nurses are within the control of public health organizations and can be addressed by targeted strategies. For example, our findings indicate that nurses value a flexible schedule and employee autonomy/empowerment.…”

“…1 –3,5 Without these valuable members of the workforce, public health departments may struggle to meet the increasing demands for health promotion and prevention. 3,13,14,21…”

“…Two recent studies surveyed nursing students to examine the relationship between having an educational rotation in a public health agency and working in public health after completing nursing studies. 10,13 The findings from these 2 studies differed: 1 study found that nursing students who completed a clinical rotation in a public health department reported less intention to choose a career in public health. 10 However, the second study found that having field experience in a local public health department was associated with a stronger interest in a public health career.…”

“…10 However, the second study found that having field experience in a local public health department was associated with a stronger interest in a public health career. 13 Another study examined job satisfaction among nurses in local health departments in one region of Illinois; this study found that coordination between supervisors and subordinates in making decisions on job tasks and other matters was associated with greater job satisfaction and possibly better retention of nurses. 15 In the context of limited research and conflicting findings, more insight into the factors that influence nurses’ decisions to begin working and remain working in governmental public health is needed.…”

“…12 Given these challenges, the growth in national policies focused on population health, and the fact that many public health positions specify that they must be filled by a nurse, it is increasingly important that public health agencies sustain this group of employees. 3,13,14 However, little is known about what influences public health nurses in their decisions to work in public health or their decisions to stay in these positions.…”