North Dakota Nursing Needs:
High School Student Survey
Bridget L. Hanson, B.A.
Patricia L. Moulton, Ph.D.
Rebecca Rudel, Ph.D., R.N.
Karyn M. Plumm, M.A.
June 2006
Funding for this project was provided by the
North Dakota Board of Nursing
2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background
The “Projected Supply, Demand and Shortages of Registered Nurses 2000-2020” (U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, 2002) report cited a six percent nationwide shortage
of registered nurses in 2000 with this shortage increasing to 29 percent by 2020. North Dakota is
currently experiencing a shortage of registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses
(LPNs) with a greater shortage projected through the next 10 years (Moulton & Wakefield,
2003). Potential reasons for this shortage include a nationwide decline in the number of nursing
graduates, aging of the nursing workforce, decline in relative salaries, an aging population,
health care financing issues, and an uneven distribution of demand according to employment
settings.
The Nursing Needs Study was recommended by the North Dakota Century Code Nurse Practices
Act 43-12.1-08.2 in which the North Dakota Board of Nursing was directed to address issues of
supply and demand including recruitment, retention and utilization of nurses. The North Dakota
Board of Nursing then contracted with the Center for Rural Health at the University of North
Dakota (UND) School of Medicine and Health Sciences to conduct the Nursing Needs Study.
Results
In this report, results from the first high school student survey are presented. This data was
collected from 568 high school students throughout the state of North Dakota through a
voluntary online survey.
• Demographics
The average age of respondents was 16.16 years, and most students were Caucasian.
Comparable numbers from each grade level 9-12 responded to the survey.
• Future Plans for Education
The majority of respondents plan on pursuing a four-year college education, based mostly on
advice from their parents. Most students plan to obtain their education in North Dakota
because they want to stay near home. Those students that plan to go to college out-of-state
also cite a desire to stay close to home as a main reason.
• Future Plans for Employment
Twenty-nine percent (29%) of students plan to seek employment in North Dakota after
completing their education. Most plan to do so because their family lives in North Dakota.
A little over one-third of students (38%) desire a career in healthcare. Of those students,
thirty-eight percent indicated a preference for nursing over other healthcare occupations and
most plan to obtain an RN degree.
3
• Nursing as a Career
Students who plan on pursuing a career in nursing listed making a difference in people’s
lives and the availability of nursing jobs as the main factors contributing to their decision.
They indicated the opinions of teachers and the required education as the least important
factors.
The majority of all students (61%) indicate that they would be likely to choose a career in
healthcare if an employer agreed to pay tuition in exchange for the student working for them
in the future. Students overwhelmingly agreed that nursing is an important profession and
that nurses care for people in their time of need.
Summary
A large number of high school students indicate a desire to pursue a career in nursing. Future
surveys will allow for trend analyses and verification of this promising movement toward
adequate staffing and a decrease in the nurse shortage.
4
NORTH DAKOTA NURSING NEEDS STUDY INTRODUCTION
Health personnel shortages can negatively impact health care quality, through reduced health
care access, increased stress on providers, and the use of under-qualified personnel. Also,
shortages can contribute to higher costs by raising compensation levels to attract and retain
personnel and by increasing the use of overtime pay and expensive temporary personnel.
Workforce shortages, while a problem for the entire health care system, are likely to be most
severe for rural/frontier regions and medically needy population groups such as the elderly.
Eighty-one percent of North Dakota’s 53 counties are health professional shortage areas. North
Dakota also has the highest proportion of residents aged 85 and older, the age group with the
greatest need for healthcare services. In North Dakota, this group is predicted to double in size
by 2020.
Nurses are an integral part of the heath care system providing nursing services to patients
requiring assistance in recovering or maintaining their physical and/or mental health (North
Dakota Healthcare Association, 2002). In the United States, nurses comprise the largest group of
health care providers. They practice in settings ranging from public health to long-term care.
The ability to provide accessible, high quality care depends on the availability of a nursing
workforce with the requisite skills and knowledge. Over the past few years, research studies
have identified clear relationships between nurse staffing and patient outcomes. For example,
lower nurse staffing in hospitals has been linked to longer hospital stays for patients, as well as a
number of complications such as pneumonia (e.g., Aiken, Clarke, Sloane, Sochalski, & Silber,
2002). Directly challenging the health care system’s ability to provide quality patient care is a
growing national and international disparity in nursing workforce supply and demand. North
Dakota is not immune to this problem.
The Nursing Needs Study was recommended, in 2001, by the North Dakota State Legislature
(NDCC Nurse Practices Act 43-12.1-08.2) to address potential shortages in nursing supply.
Specifically, the North Dakota Board of Nursing was directed to address issues of supply and
demand for nurses, including recruitment, retention, and utilization of nurses. To respond to this
request, the North Dakota Board of Nursing contracted with the Center for Rural Health at the
University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences to conduct the analysis.
This study, initiated in 2002, was designed to obtain an accurate and complete picture of nurses
in rural and urban areas of North Dakota, compare North Dakota’s trends to national trends, and
inform institutional and public policy. Currently in its fourth year, the study is approved to
continue until 2012 by the North Dakota Board of Nursing and will continue to provide valuable
information about the nursing workforce throughout this 10-year period of time.
5
SURVEY RESULTS
The 2006 high school survey yielded responses from 568 high school students from throughout
the state of North Dakota. Schools that agreed to participate distributed handouts to all students
in their school. These handouts directed students to an online survey. Students who volunteered
to participate were entered into a prize drawing. Participating students represented the following
North Dakota counties: Benson, Bottineau, Burke, Cass, Divide, Foster, Grand Forks, Logan,
McHenry, McLean, Mountrail, Ramsey, Stark, Steele, Stutsman, Trail, Walsh, Ward, and
Williams.
Demographics
The average age of the respondents was 16.16 years, with a reported grade point average (GPA)
of 3.29. Almost all of the respondents were Caucasian (92%), and slightly more respondents
were female (53%) than male (48%).
Table 1: Number of Respondents by Sex and High School Class
Sex Class Standing
Freshmen Sophomores Juniors Seniors Total
Male 79 67 58 65 269
Female 81 81 56 79 297
Total 160 148 114 144 566
Post-High School Graduation Plans
Ninety-three percent of students indicated that they had begun to think about a possible career.
The majority (70%) plan to pursue a four-year college education (see Figure 1). Of students with
a GPA of at least 3.00, 78 percent plan to pursue a college education. These findings are
comparable to results from a North Dakota Healthcare Association (2002) study that found
approximately two-thirds of North Dakota high school students plan to pursue higher education
at a four-year college. Numbers of students interested in a technical education at a two-year
college are also comparable (16%), with the North Dakota Healthcare Association which
reported approximately 15 percent of respondents interested.
6
Figure 1: Post-High School Graduation Plans
70%
16%
4%
3%
6%
1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
4+ yr
college
2 yr
technical
school
military work no plans yet other
Plans
Students were asked who has had the most influence on their decisions about future career plans.
Over half of students (55%) indicated that their parents were the most influential (see Figure 2).
These results are comparable with findings from the North Dakota Healthcare Association
(2002), where students rated their parents as most influential, followed by friends. Teachers and
counselors were rated as least influential.
Figure 2: Influence on Plans for Future Career
55%
15%
10%
3%
17%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
parents friends teacher or
coach
school
counselor
other
Individual
7
Most students (73%) plan to continue their education in North Dakota. This number represents
an increase over the 62 percent reported by the North Dakota Healthcare Association’s (2002)
study.
Students were also asked why they did or did not plan to go to college in North Dakota. The
most commonly cited reason for planning to stay in North Dakota was a desire to stay near home
(69%) (see Figure 3).
Figure 3: Reasons for In-State Education
36%
36%
43%
52%
69%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percent
financial assistance
in-state tuition
academic reputation
cost of attendance
want to stay near home
A desire to stay near home was the most commonly cited reason (40%) for students who planned
to pursue education out-of-state as well (see Figure 4). This finding was unexpected but can
perhaps be explained by the location of the respondents. Over half of the students who indicated
a desire to say near home live in a county that borders another state. Perhaps these students plan
to attend a college in Minnesota, Montana, or South Dakota that is close to their home.
Figure 4: Reasons for Out-of-State Education
10%
12%
12%
18%
40%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percent
ND's poor academic reputation
better program out-of-state
info from a website
visited campus
want to stay near home
8
Students were also asked to respond to the open-ended question “When you think of North
Dakota as a possibility to obtain higher education, what is the ONE thing that would discourage
you from going to college in North Dakota?” Text responses were reviewed for consistent
themes. Four main themes of experience, quality, job opportunities, and weather emerged.
• Twenty-seven percent (27%) of respondents indicated that they would like to pursue
education out-of-state in order to experience new things. Many of these responses
mentioned living in North Dakota for their entire lives and simply wishing to experience
life in another state. Others said that they felt North Dakota life was boring and
elsewhere would have more activities and things to do.
• Nearly a quarter of respondents (23%) wished to pursue education elsewhere because
they felt they could obtain a higher-quality education than in North Dakota. Also
included in this category were responses that indicated the colleges in North Dakota did
not fit the student’s needs or desires (e.g. program not offered, out-of-date technology, no
Bible colleges).
• Eleven percent (11%) of students responded that they are discouraged from pursuing an
education in North Dakota because of future job opportunities and salary. They indicated
that pay was better in other states, there are few career options in North Dakota, and they
believed that graduates from other colleges and universities would have more job
opportunities made available after graduation.
• Finally, eight percent of respondents disliked the weather in North Dakota.
Overwhelmingly, these students mentioned a dislike of cold winters.
• Other responses that occurred less frequently were those associated with high costs of
North Dakota colleges (6%) and a lack of diversity in North Dakota (4%).
Future Plans for Employment
Some students (29%) plan to seek employment in an urban area of North Dakota after
completing their education. One-quarter of students (25%) are uncertain as to the geographic
location in which they wish to work, thereby creating a potential for recruitment of these students
to jobs in North Dakota (see Figure 5). The North Dakota Healthcare Association (2002)
reported that 48 percent of students planned to seek employment in North Dakota after obtaining
their desired education. This number is comparable with the sum of the three North Dakota
categories shown in Figure 5 (46%).
9
Figure 5: Location of Future Employment
29%
12%
5%
10%
18%
25%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ND urban city ND semi-rural
city
ND rural townMN, SD, or MT other state uncertain
Location
Of those students who plan to work in North Dakota, most (79%) plan to do so because their
family lives in North Dakota. Additionally, many believe it is a safe place to live (68%) and a
safe place to raise a family (56%) (see Figure 6).
Figure 6: Reasons for Planning to Work in North Dakota
31%
31%
56%
59%
68%
79%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percent
good education available
good pay & benefits available
safe place to raise family
low cost of living
safe place to live
family lives in ND
10
For those students who do not plan to work in North Dakota, 66 percent believe there are more
job opportunities elsewhere and 61 percent believe they will find better pay and benefits in other
states (see Figure 7).
Figure 7: Reasons for Planning to Work Outside of North Dakota
26%
26%
39%
49%
61%
66%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
P
e
r
c
e
n
t
newer technology available
more cultural diversity
opportunity for variety in work
bigger cities
better pay & benefits available
more job opportunities
Many students (41%) responded that they plan to work in a rural area. Students stated a low cost
of living (59%) and better working conditions (56%) as the main reasons they plan to work in a
rural area (see Figure 8).
Figure 8: Reasons for Planning to Work in a Rural Area
38%
49%
56%
59%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
P
e
r
c
e
n
t
better pay & benefits
safe environment
better working conditions
low cost of living
11
The majority of students (59%) do not plan to work in a rural area because of few social
activities (54%) and better pay and benefits in urban areas (49%) (see Figure 9).
Figure 9: Reasons for Planning to Not Work in a Rural Area
30%
32%
38%
49%
54%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percent
little cultural diversity
desire to work in large city
lack of new technology
pay & benefits are better in urban
areas
few social activities
When asked about the field of their future career plans, 38 percent of students indicated
healthcare and 26 percent chose business. The least chosen areas were finance (6%) and
agriculture (9%) (see Figure 10). The North Dakota Healthcare Association (2002) found similar
trends but lower numbers in the most popular categories, with reports of 22.5 percent of students
interested in healthcare and 12.5 percent of students interested in business.
Figure 10: Field of Future Career
6%
9%
14%
14%
16%
16%
21%
21%
26%
38%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percent
finance
agriculture
construction
law
teaching
sciences
engineering
technology
business
healthcare
12
Health Care as a Career
Of those that chose healthcare as a field, many (38%) indicated plans to become a nurse,
followed by an interest in becoming a physician (30%) (see Figure 11). Similarly, the North
Dakota Healthcare Association’s 2002 study revealed that students interested in healthcare were
most likely to express interest in careers as a doctor, physical therapist, and nurse.
Figure 11: Area of Healthcare
9%
11%
16%
18%
19%
20%
25%
30%
38%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percent
occupational therapist
physician's assistant
lab/radiology/med tech
dentist
pharmacist
chiropractor
physical therapist
physician
nursing
Students were also asked if certain scenarios would encourage them to choose a career in
healthcare. Students responded the most to “if a local healthcare employer agreed to pay your
college tuition in exchange for a guarantee that you would work for them after college, you
would be more likely to choose a career in healthcare” (61%) (see Figure 12). The North Dakota
Healthcare Association (2002) study found that students were most likely to agree that having
college tuition paid in exchange for work would increase the likelihood of choosing a healthcare
career. Similar to the findings shown below, agreement with the other three statements was
slightly less but approximately equal for each.
Figure 12: Scenarios that would Encourage Healthcare Careers
49%
50%
51%
61%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percent who Agree
guaranteed a job in ND after
college
jobs have starting salary > 30k
workers would be in high demand
employer agreed to pay tuition if
work for them
13
Of those students who plan to go into a healthcare field other than nursing, the most common
reason was a dislike of nursing settings (18%) (see Figure 13).
Figure 13: Reasons for Not Planning on Nursing
6%
8%
9%
11%
11%
18%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percent
salary
dislike ill people
hate blood
hours
unpleasant work
dislike nursing settings
Nursing as a Career
Students who planned on pursuing a nursing career were asked to rate the importance of several
factors on their decision. They rated ten statements on a scale from less important (1) to more
important (4). On average, the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives was rated as
the most important factor (3.76) (see Figure 14), while the opinion or experience of a teacher or
counselor was rated as the least important factor (2.24) (see Figure 15).
Figure 14: Most Important Factors in Choosing Nursing
3.1
3.35
3.38
3.76
00.511.522.533.54
Importance Rating
salary potential
personal attraction to nursing
availability of nursing jobs
making a difference
14
Figure 15: Least Important Factors in Choosing Nursing
2.24
2.73
2.87
2.9
00.511.522.533.54
Importance Rating
opinion of teacher/counselor
required education
opinion of parent
cost of education
Of those planning to go into nursing, 91 percent chose hospital as the employment setting in
which they would most like to work. Long-term care was chosen least (11%) (see Figure 16).
Figure 16: Desired Employment Setting for Nurses
11%
12%
13%
13%
14%
16%
19%
91%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percent
long-term/nursing home
home health care
school health
occupational health
ambulatory care
public/community health
nursing education
hospital
15
A third (33%) of the students who wish to be nurses chose RN degree as the highest degree that
they plan to obtain (see Figure 17).
Figure 17: Highest Degree Planned
12%
8%
33%
21%
25%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
CNA LPN RN APN Ph.D.
Level
Students Perception of Nursing as a Career Field
Students were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with a variety of statements designed to
evaluate their perceptions of nursing as a career option. The majority of respondents indicated
that nursing is an important profession (84%) and nurses care for people in their time of need
(82%). Fewer students felt that nursing is a good career for men (54%) and nurses make a lot of
money (56%) (see Figure 18).
Figure 18: Students’ Agreement with Perception Statements
54%
56%
60%
63%
69%
70%
74%
82%
84%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percent who Agree
good career for men
make a lot of money
design & direct health programs
physically challenging
leaders in healthcare
manage large groups of people
jobs everywhere
care for people in time of need
important profession
16
Buerhaus, Donelan, Norman, & Dittus (2005) conducted a survey of nursing students and asked
similar questions. Unlike North Dakota high school students, 90 percent of nursing students
surveyed agreed that nursing is a good career for men and that nursing is physically challenging.
Grossman and Northrop (1993) surveyed high school students in Florida and found that 72
percent believed that nurses managed large groups of people, 66 percent believed that nurses
were leaders in directing and influencing national health policy and legislation, and 80 percent
believed that a nursing career could be financially successful. Substantially fewer North Dakota
students agreed that nurses make a lot of money. The geographic difference could play a factor
in this difference, as could the significant amount of time elapsed between the two studies.
Of those who plan to go into nursing, 87 percent personally know someone who works in the
field. Presumably, those students have derived some information about nursing from this
relationship. Additionally, 88 percent of students who want to go into nursing as a career have
taken care of an ill person.
In comparison, of those who do not plan to go into nursing, 86 percent personally know someone
who works in the field. Additionally, 73 percent of students who do not want to go into nursing
as a career have taken care of an ill person.
Stevens and Walker (2003), in their study of high school student’s opinions of nursing, found
that knowing a nurse or experience caring for an ill individual was significantly correlated with
interest in nursing as a career. These results do not seem to correspond with the information
gathered from North Dakota high school students. The two groups (interested in nursing and not
interested in nursing) reported nearly equal rates of personally knowing a nurse. However, more
students interested in nursing as a career have taken care of an ill person. It is likely that students
who are interested in nursing-type careers are more willing to care for someone. It can not be
inferred that experience caring for an ill individual leads to interest in a nursing career.
Students were asked to provide their own original responses to the question “When you think of
nursing as a possible career choice, what is the ONE thing that would discourage you from
obtaining a career in that field?” Responses were coded and four main themes of job activities,
interest, education, and hours emerged.
• Various job activities were listed as discouraging factors by 29 percent of respondents.
Blood was mentioned very frequently, and responses involving needles, surgery, germs,
and caring for sick or elderly patients were also included in this category.
• Sixteen percent (16%) of respondents indicated a lack of interest in nursing or an interest
elsewhere. These included responses such as “If I was a nurse, I wouldn’t be able to be a
teacher” and “I wouldn’t want to be a nurse.”
• Some respondents (12%) indicated no desire for the necessary education or the
knowledge nursing requires. Many of these responses mentioned a requirement to go to
school for a long time or no desire to acquire scientific knowledge or learn big words.
17
• Beliefs about the schedule nurses work discouraged 11 percent of respondents. Many
mentioned nights and weekends, as well as desiring flexibility for family life.
• Fewer respondents (4% each) indicated they would not like to pursue nursing because of
the inevitable experience with death, the social interactions involved, the stress and
responsibility, and the belief that nursing was a female job.
Students were also asked if anyone had encouraged them to obtain a nursing degree at a college
or university in North Dakota and what their reasons for suggesting nursing as a positive career
choice. Few students indicated who encouraged them, although many listed rewards of a nursing
career. High demand (18%), good pay (16%), good fit for personality (17%), and intrinsic
rewards (16%) were frequently mentioned. Some students indicated that they were encouraged
to obtain their education in North Dakota because of the high quality (13%) and proximity to
home (9%).
18
SURVEY CONCLUSIONS & POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
Most of North Dakota’s high school students plan to pursue higher education, many at a four
year college or university in North Dakota. Reasons include affordability and reputation. One-
quarter of high school students are unsure of where they would like to seek employment after
obtaining their education. This sizeable percentage represents an excellent potential group for
future recruitment to North Dakota jobs. Students cited healthcare as a desired field for a future
career more often than any other area, and many students were interested in nursing. Of those
students who were not interested in nursing, a dislike of nursing settings, tasks, and hours were
frequently cited as reasons. Over eight percent of the male respondents indicated that they do
not consider nursing as a potential career choice because it is a job meant only for females.
These false beliefs reveal an important area for education. By eliminating the notion of nursing
as a sex or gender specific job, the potential for recruitment is increased. Students who cited an
interest in nursing often mentioned demand, pay, and intrinsic factors as reasons for pursuing this
career.
Specific Policy Recommendations
• Encourage students to consider pursuing nursing careers in North Dakota. Focus
recruitment efforts on those students who are unsure of what geographic area they would
like to seek employment and males who believe they cannot be nurses.
• Increase dissemination of accurate information regarding nursing as a career, including
the wide variety of setting and schedule options and desire for both males and females in
the nursing workforce.
• Continue or increase affordability and good academic reputation to draw North Dakota
students to North Dakota colleges and universities.
• Encourage the development of programs to expose students to the benefits of a career in
nursing, starting in grade school.
19
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SURVEY METHOD
The high school student survey was designed to examine education and career plans of North
Dakota’s high school students (grades 9-12). The survey was developed using questions from
multiple journal articles (Buerhaus, et al., 2005; Grossman & Northrop, 1993; Stevens & Walker,
1993) and the North Dakota Healthcare Association Study of Healthcare Career Perceptions
(2002).
A stratified sample of schools representing urban (Fargo and Minot) and rural counties was
selected to represent the eastern and western halves of the state. All schools in each of the
selected counties were contacted and were asked if they would be willing to participate in the
study. Twenty-five schools agreed to participate and distributed handouts to all students in their
school. These handouts directed students to an online survey. Students who volunteered to
participate were entered into a prize drawing. Participating students represented the following
North Dakota counties: Benson, Bottineau, Burke, Cass, Divide, Foster, Grand Forks, Logan,
McHenry, McLean, Mountrail, Ramsey, Stark, Steele, Stutsman, Trail, Walsh, Ward, and
Williams (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Counties included in High School Student Survey
Percentages were calculated using the total number of students that completed each item and
rounded to the nearest percentile. Where possible, data was compared with numbers from
previous research studies.
20
References
Buerhaus, P.I., Donelan, K., Norman, L., & Dittus, R. (2005). Nursing students’ perceptions of a
career in nursing and impact of a national campaign designed to attract people into the nursing
profession. Journal of Professional Nursing, 21,
75-83.
Grossman, D.G.S., Northrop, C. (1993). What high school students think of a nursing career: A
survey of Dade county senior high schools. Journal of Nursing Education, 32,
157-162.
Moulton, P. L., Christman, S. T., Dannewitz, H., & Wakefield, M. (2003). North Dakota
Nursing Needs Study: Licensed Nurse Survey. Center for Rural Health, University of North
Dakota: Grand Forks, ND.
Moulton, P.L., & Wakefield, M. (2003). Characteristics of North Dakota’s Nursing Workforce:
A Status Report. Center for Rural Health, University of North Dakota: Grand Forks, ND.
North Dakota Healthcare Association. (2002). Healthcare Career Perceptions.
Stevens, K.A., & Walker, E.A. (1993). Choosing a career: Why not nursing for more high school
seniors? Journal of Nursing Education, 32,
13-17.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2002). Projected Supply, Demand and
Shortages of Registered Nurses: 2000-2010. Bureau of Health Professions, National Center for
Health Workforce Information and Analysis: Washington, D.C.
Home > ND High School Student Survey 2005
North Dakota High School Student Survey 2005
In North Dakota, there is a concern about havin
g
enou
g
h health providers
(
for example
nurses, laborator
y
technicians
)
in the near future. We would like to know what
y
our futu
r
and
y
our views about one component of the healthcare workforce- nursin
g
. We are res
e
the Universit
y
of North Dakota, and we are stud
y
in
g
about nursin
g
needs for North Dak
o
Center for Rural Health at the Universit
y
of North Dakota. This stud
y
is paid for b
y
the
N
State Board of Nursing.
This is an online surve
y
with questions about
y
ou and
y
our
g
raduation plans, if
y
ou hav
e
surve
y
should onl
y
take about 15 minutes to complete. You don’t have to do the surve
y,
it will help those who plan for the nursin
g
needs in North Dakota, and
y
ou will have lear
n
about nursin
g
research. So, if
y
ou do the surve
y
, please take it seriousl
y
and know that
are very important to us.
This surve
y
is completel
y
confidential;
y
our name is not on the surve
y
and so cannot b
e
paper where the results of the stud
y
are reported. Information from this surve
y
will be s
t
electronicall
y
on a secure server for three
y
ears, and onl
y
accessed b
y
ourselves and t
h
Institutional Review Board. After three
y
ears, the raw data from the surve
y
will be destr
o
A
t the end of the surve
y
is a pa
g
e that
y
ou can print out. It will have
y
our unique numbe
place for
y
our name. You will need to print out the pa
g
e, print
y
our name on the paper
a
in the drop box at
y
our school. This will be
y
our entr
y
for the drawin
g
of the IPOD. We
w
collectin
g
these entr
y
forms, the
y
will be destro
y
ed after the drawin
g
and will not be link
e
survey results.
If
y
ou have an
y
questions or would like to be informed of the results of this stud
y
, pleas
e
Patricia Moulton, PhD at 701-777-6781 or Beck
y
Rudel, PhD, RN at 701-777-4546 or t
h
Research and Program Development, UND at 701-777-4279.
So, if
y
ou a
g
ree to participate in this stud
y
, please be
g
in answerin
g
the questions belo
w
so much for your assistance in this research project.
A Little Bit About You:
1. What is your zip code?
2. Which year are you in according to your high school guidelines (cumulative nu
credits)?
Freshman
Sophmore
Junior
Senior
3. Please indicate your sex.
Male
Female
4. What is your date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy)? / /
5. What is your cumulative G.P.A?
6. What is your racial/cultural group?
White, not of Hispanic origin
Hispanic
Black, not of Hispanic origin
Asian/Pacific Islander
American Indian/Alaskan Native
Multi-racial
Other
7. Have you or are you currently taking a nursing related course (such as Certified Nursing
Assistant)?
Yes
No
About Your Future Career Plans:
8. Have you started to think about a possible career for when you are an adult?
Yes
No
9. Who has had the MOST influence in helping you make decisions about your future career
plans (choose only one).
Parents
School Counselor
Teacher/Coach
Friends/Other students
Other
10. Who has had the LEAST influence in helping you make decisions about your future career
plans (choose only one).
Parents
School Counselor
Teacher/Coach
Friends/Other students
Other
11. Currently, what are your plans after graduation (choose one that best fits):
College (4+ Year)
Technical School (2 Year)
Military
Work
No plans yet
Other, please specify
12. Do you see yourself continuing your education in North Dakota?
Yes
No
13a. If you plan to continue your education in North Dakota (question 12), why do you plan to
go to college in ND (choose all that apply)?
My relatives want me to stay in North Dakota
My teacher advised me to attend college in North Dakota
Colleges in North Dakota have a good academic reputation
I can get financial assistance
The cost of attending college in North Dakota
My high school counselor advised me to attend a college in North Dakota
I want to stay near home
In-state tuition
Graduates from colleges in North Dakota gain admission to top graduate/professional schools
Graduates from colleges in North Dakota get good jobs
Colleges in North Dakota are ranked well in national magazines
Information from a website
I visited the campus of a college in North Dakota
Other, please specify
13b. If you do NOT plan to continue your education in North Dakota (question 12), why do you
want to go to college elsewhere (choose all that apply)?
My relatives want me to attend a college elsewhere
My teacher advised me to attend college elsewhere
Colleges in North Dakota do not have a good academic reputation
I cannot get financial assistance
The cost of attending college in North Dakota
My high school counselor advised me to attend college elsewhere
I don't want to stay near home
Out-of-state tuition
Graduates from colleges in North Dakota do not gain admission to top graduate/professional
schools
Graduates from colleges in North Dakota do not get good jobs
Colleges in North Dakota are not ranked well in national magazines
Information from a website
I visited the campus of a college elsewhere
Other, please specify
14. Where do you see yourself seeking employment after you have completed your education?
An urban city in North Dakota (such as Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck/Mandan, Minot)
A semi-rural city in North Dakota (such as Dickinson, Williston, Jamestown, Wahpeton)
A rural town in North Dakota (such as Hettinger, Belcourt, Langdon, Crosby)
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
Other Minnesota city
South Dakota
Montana
Other state
Outside of United States
Uncertain
15a. If you plan to work in North Dakota (question 14), why do you plan to work in North
Dakota (choose all that apply).
Family lives in North Dakota
Good education programs are available
Good pay and benefits are available
Have scholarship or tuition assistance that requires staying in North Dakota
Low cost of living
More job opportunities
Safe place to live
Safe place to raise a family
Other, please specify
15b. If you do NOT plan to work in North Dakota (question 14), Why do you plan to work
outside North Dakota? (choose all that apply).
Better pay/benefits are available
Better working conditions
Family lives outside North Dakota
More cultural diversity
More job opportunities
Newer technology available
Opportunity to work in variety of areas
Bigger cities
Other, please specify
16. Do you plan to work in a rural area?
Yes
No
17a. If you plan to work in a rural area, why do you plan to work in a rural area? (choose all
that apply).
Better working conditions
Better pay and benefits
Low cost of living
More likely to receive student loan reimbursement
More autonomy
Rural areas are a safe environment
Other, please specify
17b. If you do NOT plan to work in a rural area, why do you not plan to work in a rural area?
(choose all that apply).
Few social activities
Lack of new technology in rural areas
Little cultural diversity in rural areas
Only want to work in a large city, no desire to work in a rural area
Pay/benefits are not comparable to urban areas
Unfamiliar with the rural environment
Want to live close to family who are in an urban area
Other, please specify
Your Possible Career Plans
18. If you had to choose a career today, which field do you think you would likely enter
(choose all that apply)?
Ag/Farming
Business
Computers/Technology
Construction
Engineering
Finance
Law
Medical/Healthcare
Sciences
Teaching
19. If you did not choose “medical/healthcare”in question 18b, please skip to question #32. If you
chose “medical/healthcare” in question 18, in which of the following areas of study would you
be most interested (choose all that apply)?
Doctor
Nursing (i.e., Certified Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife)
Physician’s Assistant
Physical Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Dentist
Laboratory/Radiology/Medical Technologist
Pharmacist
Chiropractor
Other, please specify
If you plan to go into Nursing…
20. If you plan to go into nursing, choose the following that describes the employment setting
in which you would most like to work (choose all that apply).
Ambulatory care
Home health care
Hospital
Long term care/nursing home
Nursing education
Occupational health
Public/community health
School health
20a. Please indicate the highest level of nursing degree or certification you would like to obtain
(choose only one).
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Certified Nurse Anesthetist / Nurse Practitioner / Nurse Midwife
Doctoral Level Nurse
20b. Do you personally know anyone in the field of nursing?
Yes
No
20c. Have you ever helped to take care of an ill person?
Yes
No
How important are the following factors in choosing a career in nursing? Please indicate the level of
importance by choosing a, b, c, or d.
Less
Important
More
Important
abcd
22. Opinion/experience of parent
23. Opinion/experience of teacher/counselor
24. Opinion/experience of someone in healthcare
25. Availability of nursing jobs
26. Availability of nursing jobs near where I live
27. Salary potential in nursing field
28. Length of time required to complete education
29. Cost of nursing education
30. Personal attraction to nursing
31. Opportunity to making a difference in people’s lives
If you do NOT plan to go into Nursing…
21. If you do not plan to go into nursing, please indicate your reasons (choose all that apply).
Salary
I don’t like sick people
Hours
It is unpleasant work
I hate the sight of blood
I don’t like to wait on people
I do not want to work in a nursing setting
It is not important work
21a. Do you personally know anyone in the field of nursing?
Yes
No
21b. Have you ever helped to take care of an ill person?
Yes
No
Your Perceptions of Nursing as a Career Option:
Please rate the following statements in regard to your personal opinions of nursing as a career choice
by choosing a, b, c, or d.
Strongly
disagree
Strongly
agree
abcd
32. Nursing is physically challenging
33. Nursing is a good career for men
34. Nurses care for individuals, families, and communities during time of need
35. Nurses manage large groups of people
36. Nurses are leaders in directing and influencing national and international health
care
37. Nurses are members of an important profession
38. There are jobs for nurses everywhere
39. Nurses design and direct health programs for businesses and athletic
organizations
40. Nurses make a lot of money
41. If you knew healthcare workers would be in high demand, you would be more
likely to choose a career in healthcare
42. If you knew many healthcare jobs have a starting salary of $30,000 or more, you
would be more likely to choose a career in healthcare
43. If you could be guaranteed a job in ND upon completion of college, you would be
more likely to choose a career in healthcare
44. If a local healthcare employer agreed to pay your college tuition in exchange for
a guarantee that you would work for them after college, you would be more likely to
choose a career in healthcare
45. When you think of nursing as a possible career choice, what is the ONE thing that would
discourage you from obtaining a career in that field?
46. When you think of North Dakota as a possibility to obtain higher education, what is the ONE thing
that would discourage you from going to college in ND?
47. Has anyone encouraged you to obtain a nursing degree at a college or university in ND? What are
their reasons for suggesting this as a positive career choice?
Thank you for completing our survey.
Please click the sumission button now.
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