Nursing Students' Intention to Work in Hospice Care in the Future

Abstract

Studies reveal that nursing students rank hospice nursing among their least preferred career choices. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between nursing students' intention to work in hospice care in the future and their attitudes toward caring for dying patients, death anxiety, personal and/or professional experience of caring for dying patients, and type of nursing program studied. In this cross-sectional study, 200 nursing students completed an online survey based on the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale and the Turkish Death Anxiety Scale. Only 11% of the respondents were found to express interest in working in hospice care in the future. Studying in the accelerated program for nonnursing Bachelor of Arts graduates predicted a higher intention to work in hospice care in the future, than studying in the generic program (β = 0.27, P < .001). Completion of clinical experience in a medical ward predicted lower intention (β = −0.21, P < .01). These findings suggest that nursing students in the accelerated program for nonnursing Bachelor of Arts graduates should be provided with appropriate experience and support to maintain their interest in hospice nursing. Clinical experience in medical wards does not seem to be a good substitute for clinical experience in hospice care.