Intention toward Working in the Private Sector among Fourth-Year Nursing Students in Thailand

Abstract

This study explored the influence of socio-economic characteristics, attitudes, skills and social factors on the intention of nursing students toward working in the private sector. Participants comprised 508 nursing students from two public nursing colleges under the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), three public nursing universities and three private universities in Thailand. Data were collected by using a self-administered questionnaire. Chi square tests and multiple logistic regression were used. One-third (32.9%) of nursing students had the intention to work in a private hospital or abroad. The reasons for this intention included: salary (60.8%), improving of English language skills (10.5%) and professional development (9.9%). When adjusting for other factors, the multivariate model found five significant predictors of intention to work in the private sector among nursing students. These were scholarship (AOR: 1.52; 95%CI:1.025-2.262), having a family member who is a nurse in the private sector (AOR:2.00;95%CI:1.323-3.018), high income are important for profession (AOR:2.43; 95%CI:1.264-4.664)perceived workload (AOR: 1.65; 95%CI: 1.095 -2.480) and expenditure per month (AOR: 1.78;95%CI:1.198-2.639). Students who intended to work in the private sector thought working in the public sector was busier. Findings indicated that improving workload and monetary incentive are key factors for retaining nursing students in the public sector. Therefore it is recommended that to promote social welfare, the public sector should provide salary in accordance with the workload.