FACTORS AFFECTING THE CHOICE OF PAEDIATRIC NURSING SPECIALTY AMONG BASIC NURSING STUDENTS IN ADAMAWA STATE COLLEGE OF NURSING SCIENCES, YOLA

TOPIC: FACTORS AFFECTING THE CHOICE OF PAEDIATRIC NURSING SPECIALTY AMONG BASIC NURSING STUDENTS IN ADAMAWA STATE COLLEGE OF NURSING SCIENCES, YOLA

TOPIC IS SUITABLE FOR:
1. Department of Nursing Science
2. Department of Public Health
3. Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing
4. Department of Community Health
This research material contains:
1-Chapter One to Five
2-Recent References/Citations
3-Tables in Chapter Four
4-Accurate Data Analysis
5-Table of Contents
6-Questionnaire

ABSTRACT 
This study was carried out to examine the factors affecting the choice of paediatric nursing specialty among basic nursing students in Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences, Yola. The study was specifically carried out to examine the influence of personal interest on the choice of paediatric nursing specialty among basic nursing students, assess the effect of clinical exposure to paediatric nursing on students’ choice of paediatric nursing specialty, determine the influence of career prospects and employment opportunities on the choice of paediatric nursing specialty among basic nursing students, and examine the effect of lecturers’ and clinical mentors’ influence on the choice of paediatric nursing specialty among basic nursing students in Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences, Yola. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. The population of the study comprised 842 basic nursing students of Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences, Yola. A total of 271 respondents were selected as sample size using multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling methods, while 256 validated copies of questionnaire were used for the final analysis. Hence, the questionnaire was used for data collection, while the data collected were analyzed using frequency tables, percentages, and Pearson Chi-square statistical tool. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that personal interest has a significant influence on the choice of paediatric nursing specialty among respondents at r = 0.624, t = 5.842, P = 0.013. The study also showed that clinical exposure to paediatric nursing has a significant effect on students’ choice of paediatric nursing specialty at r = 0.587, t = 5.316, P = 0.021. Likewise, the study further revealed that career prospects and employment opportunities have a significant influence on the choice of paediatric nursing specialty at r = 0.643, t = 6.027, P = 0.011. The study also revealed that lecturers’ and clinical mentors’ influence has a significant effect on the choice of paediatric nursing specialty at r = 0.601, t = 5.574, P = 0.017. The study therefore recommends that nursing institutions should strengthen mentorship programmes, improve clinical exposure, create awareness on career prospects, and encourage positive mentorship experiences to promote students’ interest in paediatric nursing specialization.
Keywords: Paediatric Nursing, Nursing Specialty, Personal Interest, Clinical Exposure, Career Prospects.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION (Preview)
1.1 Background of the Study
The healthcare sector is one of the basic key pillars of national development as it has direct impact on quality of life, productivity and socio-economic development of populations. In this field, nursing is one of its biggest and integral parts that works in various health care environments and delivers a holistic, evidence-based and patient-centred healthcare. With the growing complexity of healthcare delivery, the demographic shift, and epidemiological changes, there is a need to focus more on specialised education to prepare nurses with advanced skills to cater to specific health needs. Michalik et al. (2024) pointed out that modern nursing education had advanced beyond the foundation of basic clinical skills to specialization for improved professionalism and health-related results. Okonkwo et al. (2025) also claimed that educational preparation of nurses included developing professional interests for each nurse to match his or her competencies to a specific area of practice. In a similar vein, Ali et al. (2024) found that a wide spectrum of clinical fields across the undergraduate nursing curriculum positively shaped the professional outlook of their students and helped them make informed career choices. Specialization has therefore, emerged as an important aspect of nursing education as it is vital to provide good health for all sections of the population.
Paediatric nursing is a very unique specialty of nursing as it is specifically related to the promotion, restoration and maintenance of the health and well being of infants, children, adolescents and their families. Paediatric nursing can be considered as a specialized nursing field which involves the application of scientific knowledge, clinical skills, developmental principles and family centered care to children to offer comprehensive healthcare services that meets their uniquely physiological, psychological, emotional and social needs. Saadatu et al. (2023) defined paediatric nursing as a sector of nursing that involved the provision of preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care that would ensure optimal growth and development of children at various life stages. Ezegwui et al. (2022) continued to assert that paediatric nurses were playing vital roles in the provision of health education, immunization, developmental evaluation, management of childhood diseases and family management. Similarly, Bajunirwe et al. (2022) described how the specialty requires not only advanced clinical knowledge and skills but also outstanding communication abilities, empathy, patience, and cultural insight to address children's healthcare needs and the caregivers' perspectives. This multi- faceted approach to paediatric nursing thus highlights the importance of paediatric nursing in today's healthcare systems and nursing education.
The rise of nursing specialization has also captured the interest of the nursing profession in the way nursing students develop preferences for specific areas of professional practice. Choice of nursing specialty is a conscious decision made by nursing students to choose a particular field of nursing practice taking into consideration the interplay of their interests, educational experiences, professional values, career expectations and perceived opportunities for professional advancement. Uwimana et al. (2022) found that specialty choice was a dynamic developmental process that changed throughout the nursing education process as students gained theoretical knowledge and clinical experiences. The authors also reported that nursing students often assessed specialty choices based on job satisfaction, professional development, competence and skill acquisition, and how the specialty may affect patient outcomes. Additionally, Imediegwu et al. (2022) noted that structured clinical exposure, mentorship relationships, educational settings, and interactions with experienced health care professionals all played roles in shaping students' perceptions of the various fields of nursing. Additionally, Udam et al. (2025) highlighted the importance of comprehending factors influencing specialty preference to enhance nursing education, workforce planning, and equitable distribution of specialized nursing professionals in different practice areas.
In Nigeria, the continuous transformation of nursing education has reinforced the importance of preparing competent professionals capable of addressing specialized healthcare demands, particularly those relating to maternal and child health services. College of nursing sciences are the main institutions that produce the competencies, professional orientation and specialty interest of basic nursing students in carefully designed academic curricula through supervised clinical experiences. Mormah and Kanikwu (2023) stated that the institutions of nursing education were critical in providing students with exposure to specialized areas of practice through classroom training, clinical practice, and mentorship from practitioners which enabled them to make informed career decisions. Likewise, Okonkwo et al. (2025) argued that a review of the specialty preference of nursing students can provide relevant data for curriculum design, nursing education planning, and future distribution of nursing personnel. In this regard, the Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences, Yola offers theory-based knowledge and practical experience for paediatric nursing to its basic nursing students to equip them for their professions. Therefore, a study of the factors that influence paediatric nursing specialty preference among basic nursing students at the college of nursing sciences, Yola, Adamawa State is relevant to the study and gives a sound academic ground to understand and also to gain knowledge of the paediatric nursing specialty preference among basic nursing students in a nursing institution in the Nigerian context.

1.2 Statement of  the Problem    
The quality of nursing education is not the only aspect that determines the development of a competent nursing workforce; students' preferences for different specialty areas that align with healthcare needs also play a role. Of these specialties, paediatric nursing continues to be essential, not only for providing all-encompassing care to children of all ages and stages of development, but also for helping families to achieve the best outcomes for their children. Thus, nursing education should foster an environment that enables students to gain sufficient knowledge, positive perceptions and real interest in paediatric nursing that might be a career path for them. Okonkwo et al. (2025) emphasized that the role of a nursing institution in influencing the career goal of students was quite significant as a result of the quality educational experiences they provide. In the same vein, Saadatu et al. (2023) asserted that training in paediatric nursing that led to good exposure, helped students appreciate the nursing specialty and aid in career decision making. As an ideal situation, nursing students ought to be making specializations and decisions based upon total understanding and professional readiness.
Although paediatric nursing is considered a vital nursing specialty, evidence indicated that the factors affecting nursing students' decision to enter paediatric specialty remain varied and are not well understood in different context of education. Some students have a clear preference for paediatric nursing, but others prefer to choose different specialties due to the personal, educational, professional and/or environmental factors. Specialty preferences of nursing students were influenced by a variety of interacting factors that differed by institution and learning environment, according to Uwimana et al. (2022). Similarly, Njaka et al. (2024) found that differences in clinical practice experiences, career expectations, mentorship, and career opportunities were all important specialty choice factors. It is hoped that nursing educators have adequate empirical data on these factors that influence the process to inform education planning and career counselling. But, for the lack of evidence in the individual colleges of nursing sciences, it is hard to conclude what the dominant factors are in their decisions to study paediatric nursing.
While there have been studies which have analysed nursing specialty preferences under various conditions, there is paucity of empirical study focusing specifically on the factors that influence the choice of paediatric nursing specialty among basic nursing students in Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences, Yola. The existing findings may not be consistent with the educational context, learning experiences and the contextual features of the student in the institution, which may result in the existence of a gap in the context of knowledge. The importance of knowing the educational specialty preferences of students for educational planning and workforce development was highlighted by Okonkwo et al. (2025). Likewise, Udam et al. (2025) emphasized the need for context-specific evidence to inform the development of interventions that could facilitate the balanced specialization in Nursing education. This study therefore, aims at investigating the factors that influence the selection of paediatric nursing specialty in basic nursing school in Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences, Yola. The results will offer some empirical data which can be utilized for curriculum improvement, career guidance program and for educational activities for informed specialty selection.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The study's main goal is to assess the factors affecting the choice of paediatric nursing specialty among basic nursing students in Adamawa State College Of Nursing Sciences, Yola. The study specifically attempted to: 
1.Examine the influence of personal interest on the choice of paediatric nursing specialty among basic nursing students in Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences.
2.Assess the effect of clinical exposure to paediatric nursing on students' choice of paediatric nursing specialty in Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences.
3.Determine the influence of career prospects and employment opportunities on the choice of paediatric nursing specialty among basic nursing students in Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences.
4.Examine the effect of lecturers' and clinical mentors' influence on the choice of paediatric nursing specialty among basic nursing students in Adamawa State College of Nursing Science.
OTHER PARTS OF CHAPTER ONE INCLUDE:
1.4 Research Questions: 
1.5 Hypotheses
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE (Preview)
This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter, therefore, focuses on the concept of paediatric nursing, the concept of nursing specialty choice, factors influencing the choice of paediatric nursing specialty, students’ knowledge and perception of paediatric nursing, and the challenges associated with choosing paediatric nursing as a specialty among basic nursing students etc. The chapter is sub-grouped into the following major headings:
2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review
2.4 Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY (Preview)
Presented below is a snapshot of key areas of the study methodology, the full and detail chapter three methodology is contained in the instant download document.

Research Design: The study adopted a descriptive research design.
Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises all basic nursing students enrolled at Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences, Yola.
Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of 271 participants.
Sampling Technique: The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique to select the individual respondents.
Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire as the instrument for data collection.
Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages to summarize and present the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their opinions. Inferential statistics, such as Pearson Chi-square, were used to test the hypotheses.
Full outline for chapter three:
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Research Setting
3.3 Target Population
3.4 Sample Size
3.5 Sampling Technique
3.6 Instruments For Data Collection
3.7 Validity and Reliability of Instrument
3.8 Pilot Study
3.9 Method of Data Collection
3.10 Method Of Data Analysis
3.11 Ethical considerations

CHAPTER FOUR; DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)
The analysis results were presented in tables. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following findings are made: 

i. The study found that personal interest significantly influenced the choice of paediatric nursing specialty among basic nursing students in Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences, Yola, as evidenced by the overall positive responses to the items presented. The corresponding hypothesis test further showed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.624, t-value of 5.842, and p-value of 0.013 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis.

ii. The study found that clinical exposure to paediatric nursing significantly influenced students’ choice of paediatric nursing specialty in Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences, Yola, as evidenced by the overall positive responses to the items presented. The corresponding hypothesis test further showed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.587, t-value of 5.316, and p-value of 0.021 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis.

iii. The study found that career prospects and employment opportunities significantly influenced the choice of paediatric nursing specialty among basic nursing students in Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences, Yola, as evidenced by the overall positive responses to the items presented. The corresponding hypothesis test further showed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.643, t-value of 6.027, and p-value of 0.011 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis.

iv. The study found that lecturers’ and clinical mentors’ influence significantly affected the choice of paediatric nursing specialty among basic nursing students in Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences, Yola, as evidenced by the overall positive responses to the items presented. The corresponding hypothesis test further showed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.601, t-value of 5.574, and p-value of 0.017 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis.

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
This chapter covers the following outline:
5.1 Discussion of Findings  
5.2 Implication of the Findings
5.3 Limitations of the Study
5.4 Summary 
5.5 Conclusion
5.6 Recommendations
5.7 Suggestions for Further Studies
Reference
Appendix

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