Determinants of the intention to work in aged care: a cross-sectional study to assess gerontological nursing competencies among undergraduate nursing students

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3><p>There are huge demands for aged-care workers, and undergraduate gerontological nursing education plays a critical role in providing academic and professional training.</p><h3>Purpose</h3><p>To examine relationships of characteristics, aged-care education, and gerontological nursing competencies with the intention to work in aged care.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>An online survey was distributed to undergraduate nursing students between April and June 2022 to gather characteristics, relevant aged-care education, gerontological nursing competencies, and intentions to work in aged care data. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify determinants of the intention to work in aged care.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Students (n = 358) who were older (<em>p</em> < 0.001) and who were married (<em>p</em> < 0.001) had higher intentions to work in aged care. “Promoting mental health and psychological well-being”, “Providing evidence-based dementia care”, and “Enabling access to technology”, were also associated with positive intentions.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>This study provides evidence on determinants of the intention to work in aged care, particularly gerontological nursing competencies.</p>