Perceptions toward the nursing profession among Ethiopian nurses: A mixed-method study

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the present study was i) to determine nurses' perception, ii) to identify factors associated with nurse's perception, and iii) to explore nurses perception towards nursing profession among nurses working in public hospitals in the West Shewa zone, Central Ethiopia. Material and methods: A mixed method study was done among 243 randomly selected nurses from May 25-June 20, 2020. Quantitative data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaire and in-depth interview were collected from nurses (n = 11). Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 and qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Results: In this study, 54.6% [95%CI (48.0%, 61.0%)] had a good perception towards nursing profession. Those nurses who had a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), OR = 3.00, 95% CI; 1.55–5.80, P = 0.001, those who earn a monthly salary of 6194 ETB and 3,934 Ethiopian Birr (ETB), OR = 2.28, 95% CI; 1.01–5.16, P = 0.001, Nurse working in primary, OR = 4.39, 95%CI; 1.39–9.95, P = 0.001 were more likely to have good perception towards Nursing profession than those nurses who had a Diploma, those who earn a monthly salary of less than 3,934ETB, and nurse working in Referral hospital respectively. Conclusions: Nearly six in ten nurses in the study area had a good perception of the nursing profession. Nurses' level of education, monthly salary income, and type of hospital were nurses working in should be considered for improving nurses’ perception towards their profession and thereby to keep the experienced nurses in their profession.

Keywords

• Nursing
• Perception
• West Shewa zone