Abstract
Purpose: This study was done to develop strategies for better education and career adaptation of nursing students by investigating the recognition and intentions of nursing students and graduates on the nursing and a future career. Method: Data was collected from a survey conducted between the 1st of October and 5th of December, 2007. Participants were 113 students and 37 graduates of one nursing college. Result: The majority of participants thought that atmosphere and relationships were important criteria to choose a job. Most of them selected nursing major not because their aptitude but because of its professionalism and job stability. Most wanted to go to graduate school and were interested in a nurse specialist program, especially for critical and emergency care. The preferred nursing role changed from recovery care to health promotion as they advanced in their studies. They thought work overload and fatigue from three shift as barriers for a longer stay as a clinical nurse. Conclusion: This study is meaningful in a way that it suggests some strategies for promoting nursing professionalism and adaptation to working field. In order to generalize the results of this study, replicate studies need to be conducted with nation-wide samples.