Nursing Profession as Perceived by Staff Nurses and Its Relation to Their Career Commitment at Different Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Hospitals face increasing pressure to control costs, reduce staff and redesign clinical settings. With these escalating pressures, it is important for hospitals and nursing administrators to understand the concept of nursing profession and career commitment. Aim: The present study aimed to assess nursing profession as perceived by staff nurses and its relation to their career commitment at different hospitals. Setting: This study was conducted at university, health insurance, and private hospitals, Egypt. Research Design: A descriptive correlation design was utilized to achieve the objective of the present study. Sample: All nurses who agreed to participate in the study at time of data collection were included. Tool: The following tools were used I: Nursing profession questionnaire II: Career commitment questionnaire. Results: study revealed that regarding perception of profession, practice domain had the highest mean percent score (268.5%).  While the least mean score as perceived by nurses was public image (200%). There was positive correlation between total nurses perception of profession and their total perception of career commitment (r = 0.26, p = 0.00). Conclusion: There was positive significant correlation between total nurses' perception toward profession and total commitment to nursing career. Furthermore, research declared that there was no statistical significant difference between nurses' perception toward profession, commitment to nursing career and hospital by sectors. Recommendations: It’s recommended that public awareness program should be started through portraying a positive image of nursing career through mass media to enhance and improve the nursing status in the country and increased support for transition to practice in the workplace to enhance nurses' career commitment.