High School Students’ Perception of Nursing as A Career-A Pilot Survey.

Nursing is a profession to serve humanity. There is growing demands of nursing worldwide and India is no exception for that. This study was aimed to assess the perception and identify the factors influencing the perception of high school students towards taking nursing as a career in future. A sample of 168 randomly selected high school students participated from randomly selected four high schools of Uttarakhand state. Semi structured perception and career questionnaire was used to collect data. Findings evidenced that high school students ’perception about social recognition and reputation of nursing profession is poor as compared to other aspects of nursing i.e. education, opportunities and career advancement. 88% students ’agreed that nursing course need hard study, skills and practice and nurse has important place in health care delivery team. Students ’desire themselves and friends circle are highest rated reason to choose nursing. However, need of more money to complete the hard training and nursing education and long duty hours were common reported barrier to choose nursing. Findings necessitate need of sensitive programme to develop awareness and realistic picture of nursing profession among high school students.