Study of the attitudes and future intentions of nursing students towards working with older people: an observational study.

BACKGROUND

Older people are increasing in the world leading to the fact that many nursing students will work in geriatric care setting. It was also reported the lack of knowledge and interest in working with older people by many nursing students. Therefore, the aim of the study is to explore the attitudes, wills, and intentions for the care of older people from nursing students.

METHODS

A sample of 383 students (mean age between 17 and 24; females: 76.2%) was divided according to the year. A questionnaire and three scales investigating the attitude for working with older persons (Kogan, Aday-Campbell, Nolan scales) were administered. Simple correlations across the three scales and the comparisons in means by year of graduation were reported.

RESULTS

Of the 383 students, 69.7% would take care of an older person, with the previous experience with older patients being the most important determinant in positive attitude of students in working with older people. The Kogan scale revealed a relatively positive attitude towards older people of the students involved; the Aday's scale a reasonable willingness to take care of the older people; the Nolan scale a fair intention. Aday's scale significantly correlated with Nolan's scale and with Kogan's scale as well as the Nolan scale correlated with the Kogan scale.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that the quality of care provided to older people is related to the attitudes of health professionals indicating that nursing educators should adopt effective strategies to increase and promote students' positive attitudes to older people.