High School Students’ Perceptions of Nursing as a Future Career Choice: A Qualitative Study

Background: Understanding the perceptions of high school students, before entering the field of nursing, can be a basis for future planning in this regard. Accordingly, this study aimed to explain the perceptions of these students about nursing as a future career choice in Iran. Methods: This qualitative content analysis study was conducted in four public high schools in Tehran, Iran. Participants included 28 students recruited using purposive sampling who were administered semi-structured, face-to-face interviews in 2019. The duration of the interviews ranged from 30 to 45 minutes and the interviews were transcribed verbatim. The method proposed by Elo and Kyngäs was used to analyze the data. Initially, semantic similarities and differences were reviewed and the subcategories were identified. After repeated reviews, the related subcategories were placed in one category. Results: Data analysis showed students’ perceptions of nursing as a future career could be classified into three categories and seven subcategories. The main categories included a positive view of the nursing profession (with two subcategories: interest in the profession and being a supporter), barriers to choosing nursing as a future career (with three subcategories: the lack of professional independence, poor financial support, and negative evaluation of nursing), and cultural issues (with two subcategories: stigmatized public image and nursing as a gender-dominated profession). Conclusion: The results of this study showed high school students have positive and negative views towards nursing and the influence of cultural issues on the nursing profession. If those interested in nursing can enter this field, they will act as professionals who provide optimal patient care.