PERCEIVED PUBLIC IMAGE AND ITS INFLUENCE ON NURSING CAREER TURNOVER INTENTION AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS AT KING ABDUL-AZIZ UNIVERSITY, SAUDI ARABIA

Background: The stereotypical public image of nursing is a major concern to nursing. However, it is relatively unknown how this image effects on turnover intention of students. A few studies investigate impact of perception of public image of nursing on turnover intention of student from nursing professional as mentioned by (1) many of the Saudi literature, they cited main negative images of nursing and perceived low status of nurses as two important factors in explaining the severe shortage of Saudi nurses. These factors as gender-mixing, long working hours and rotating shifts which make nursing a socially unacceptable occupational choice. AIM: This study aimed to explore the impact of public image on turnover intention of female students from joining to nursing profession at king Abdul-Aziz University. METHOD: A convenience sample of 100 Saudi female students king Abdul-Aziz University and 90 their parents were collected. This descriptive correlation study was performed and data was analyzed with t-test. RESULTS: revealed that 87.8% of the parents were disagreeing with teaching one of my sons nursing. CONCLUSION: To reduce turnover intention of student it is important improving the public image of nursing and student image.