Nursing student's expectations for their future profession and motivating factors - A longitudinal descriptive study from Sweden.

BACKGROUND:The shortage of registered nurses is a global concern. Motives to become registered nurses can be to help others, altruism, personal development and career security. Motives in combination with student expectations regarding the role are not explored. OBJECTIVE:To describe students' motives to become registered nurses and their expectations regarding their future profession. DESIGN:A longitudinal descriptive design with a qualitative approach was used to follow nursing students in the beginning, during and at the end of their education. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING:A purposive sampling of a group with initially 75 students starting a three-year nursing program at a university in Sweden. METHODS:A study specific questionnaire with open-ended questions was used in the beginning, during and the end of the students' education. At data collection two and three, a copy of the earlier answers was attached. Data were analysed using manifest and latent content analysis. RESULTS:An important profession with career opportunities, interesting duties and team work were described. Students expected diversified duties, possibilities for development and work satisfaction. Increased concerns regarding their upcoming work life was described at the end of the education. CONCLUSION:The students had a positive understanding of the profession and perceived their forthcoming role as interesting. The leading role of coordinating patient care was more comprehensive than expected. Supportive conditions and well planned transition periods could strengthen newly graduated nurses in their professional role and could be an important aspect in the future retention of RNs.