Relationship among upgrades in academic qualifications, practice accreditations, self-efficacy, outcome expectations and nurses' career interest

Aims: This study examined the relationship among upgrades in academic qualifications, practice accreditations, self-efficacy, outcome expectations and nurses' career interest. Background: Interest in the nursing career could help retain nurses in the nursing profession. A global nurse shortage warrants further research to understand what drives interest in the nursing career. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected in a medical centre in Northern Taiwan between February and March 2017, using employee records and a survey instrument. Proportionate random sampling was used to identify full-time registered nurses, of whom 524 provided useable responses. Employee records were used to measure nurses' upgrades in academic qualifications and practice accreditation. Results: Upgrades in academic qualifications and upgrades in practice accreditation are positively related to outcome expectations. Both self-efficacy and outcome expectations are positively related to career interest. Conclusion: The pursuit of upgrades in academic qualifications and practice accreditation could enhance nurses' outcome expectations, thus enhancing their interest in a nursing career. Implications for Nursing Management: Hospital managers could develop policies, procedures and programmes to encourage nurses to enhance their academic qualifications or practice accreditation, helping enhance their interest in remaining in the nursing career.