Abstract:

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the profession perceptions of first-year nursing students in the Department of Nursing. Method: Qualitative in determining occupational perceptions; The phenomenological method was used. The sample of the study consisted of 15 nursing students who met the inclusion criteria. The data were analyzed in the MAXQDA qualitative data analysis program in line with Colaizzi's seven-stage method. In the study, written permission from the ethics committee of a university, institutional permission and informed consent from the students participating in the research were obtained. Results: In line with the data obtained from the interviews, two themes, 10 codes and 12 subcodes, as internal and external factors, were obtained. The theme of external factors consists of the codes of the pandemic process, social perception and the future of the profession. Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was found that the professional perceptions of first-year nursing students in general were positive. In addition, it has been seen that the appreciation of nurses during the pandemic process and the increase in the importance of the profession have a positive effect on the perception of the profession of nursing students. Accordingly, it is recommended to maintain positive professional perceptions of nursing students and to make systemic arrangements for their professional development.

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