PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF CLINICAL PLACEMENT EXPERIENCE ON CAREER CHOICES AMONG NURSING STUDENTS IN A COLLEGE OF NURSING SCIENCE, BENIN CITY

This study aimed to assess the perceived influence of clinical placement experiences on the career choices of nursing students in a College of Nursing Science in Benin City. Given the critical role of clinical placements in shaping students' professional decisions, understanding the impact of these experiences is essential for improving nursing education and guiding students’ career paths. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed for this study. A total of 162 nursing students in their 200 and 300 levels were selected using both stratified proportionate and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, which were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. The survey assessed students' perceptions regarding the influence of clinical placements on their career decisions, including the factors that shaped their choices and the challenges encountered. The study revealed that clinical placements had a positive influence on the career decisions of nursing students, with the majority of respondents (85%) reporting that these experiences helped clarify their career paths. Key factors influencing career choices included exposure to diverse healthcare settings, mentorship, and interactions with various healthcare professionals. Additionally, challenges such as demanding workloads and emotional stress were found to influence career decisions, with 82% of participants acknowledging that such challenges shaped their views on nursing specialties. Clinical placements play a crucial role in shaping the career choices of nursing students. While positive experiences during placements fostered clarity and confidence in career decisions, challenges such as high workloads and emotional strain also influenced students' career preferences. It is recommended that nursing schools enhance mentorship programmes and provide a supportive clinical learning environment to address the challenges faced by students. Additionally, efforts should be made to offer a broader range of clinical experiences to help students make well-informed career decisions.