Factors Influencing the Choice of Geriatric Nursing as an Area of Specialization among Nursing Students in Ekiti, Nigeria

The ageing global population has necessitated adequate preparation for the healthcare needs of older adults. Nurses are front line staff in the health sector and are expected to a play major role in the care of the older adults. The study was descriptive and cross-sectional. Questionnaire was administered to 84 respondents who were final year students in two schools of nursing in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study shows that 69.0% of the students perceived their experience while caring for older adults as interesting and this significantly influenced the decision of 31.0% of them who were willing to take up career in geriatric nursing. Adequate training and care facilities should be provided to give student nurses’ interesting experience during training in order to make geriatric nursing a more preferred area of specialization.