Willingness of nursing undergraduates to work in long-term care facilities: A qualitative study

Xiufang Hou, Yanglan Wang, Fangfang Wang and Qiuping Li

PLOS ONE, 2026, vol. 21, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Purpose: This study aimed to explore the willingness and attitudes of undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a geriatric nursing minor program toward pursuing careers in long-term care facilities. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological approach was adopted. Semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews were conducted with fourteen students minoring in geriatric nursing. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The analysis identified three primary themes: (1) Nascent Interest in Geriatric Care; (2) Perceived Deficiencies in Professional Competence for Geriatric Care; and (3) The “Government-Society-Family” Collaborative Geriatric Care Ecosystem Remains Underdeveloped. Conclusion: While nursing undergraduates recognize strong market demand for geriatric care professionals, their current career preferences favor hospital settings. This inclination is influenced by considerations of the social status associated with long-term care facilities, perceived misalignment between their skills and role requirements, limited career advancement pathways, and high labor intensity in long-term care.

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0357086

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0357086

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