Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to examine the adolescents’ perception and choice of nursing as a career in senior secondary schools, and to determine factors that may influence their choice and perception. The study was conducted in four selected schools in Jos metropolis. Each of these schools is unique in features. They include: two government secondary schools (urban and rural) and two private secondary schools (urban and rural). A total of 240 respondents were used for the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed and presented in frequency tables, percentages, bar chart and chi-square. Findings indicate that 7.5% (n=18) of respondents chose nursing as a career, out of which 83.33% (n=15) were females, while 16.67% (n=3) were males. Interestingly, out of 46.25% of total respondents who would consider nursing as a career, 56.76% were females while 43.26% were males. There is no significant relationship between gender in considering nursing as a career choice (X²=3.76, critical value=3.841, df=1, p value=0.05); the ownership type of schools, and consideration of nursing as a career choice shows no significance (t=-2.098, critical value=1.658, df=118, p value=0.05.). There is equally no significant relationship between location (X²=25.5, critical value=3.841, df=1, p value=0.05), and consideration of nursing as a career choice.

Key words: Adolescent, perception, career, choice, secondary, schools.