The sample size used for this study was composed of 272 nurses & 259 nursing students. The sample size of the study was adequate because the target population was objectively identified to answer the survey. Inclusion criteria were used to specify the sample. The potential for sample bias was identified around the self-selected nature of participation & was mentioned as one of the limitations of the study. As Eley, Eley & Roger-Clark (2009) point out in their study, the objective was to have at least 400 subjects to allow comparisons between nurses & nursing students for a power of 80 percent. The authors collected 531 responses with a power greater than 99 percent, surpassing their estimation. According to Houser, 2018 “Adequate power means there are enough subjects to detect a difference in the outcome variable” (p.186). In this case,the power obtained accounted for an adequate number of participants for the research question.
The data was collected via email through a database of the regional health service & the University of Queensland. The tool used to collect the data was an online survey instrument. Ethical considerations were approved by the university & health service ethics committees.
Eley, Eley & Rogers-Clark (2009) identified limitations in the design of the study at the time of collecting the data, & the surveys were distributed by third parties, therefore, making it impossible for the authors to know the number of invitations received to participate in the survey. Estimation was needed to determine its statistical power. This limitation could be overcome in subsequent studies by eliminating third parties’ distribution. Moreover, the study was a reflection of the views of participants of a single region of Queensland, creating some limitations on the results. This limitation could be overcome in subsequent studies using different regions for the nursing schools & nurses invited to participate in the survey. In addition, the results of cross-sectional studies are a one-time measurement; as a result, the characteristics of the samples change over time.
Limitations are important to list & discuss within a study because limitations could have affected the study findings; moreover, they can have an impact on the quality of the evidence. An open discussion of limitations helps the readers understand the study. Furthermore, the discussions of limitations within a study should be taken as an advantage for other users of the evidence since it will provide a basis for future studies on the same subject, so these limitations can be planned & overcome for similar studies.
The findings of the study are based on the 17 factors identified on the survey as factors influencing the decision to become a nurse & the nine factors influencing the decision to leave nursing; & these factors ranged from the most popular to the least. The top factors that influenced the decision to become a nurse were finding the work interesting, the opportunity for caring, & the opportunity to work with people. Students & nurses agreed on the ranking of these three as the most influencing in the decision to become nurses. On the contrary, students & nurses disagreed on the factors corresponding to the decision to leave nursing. Nurses’ disillusionment with their career & retirement were the most important reasons, while for the nursing students were different career opportunities & health concerns. The findings of the study answered the research question posed within the study ranking the most important reasons for leaving & entering nursing.
Struggling with online classes or exams? Get expert help to ace your coursework, assignments, and tests stress-free!