Content area
Aim
To evaluate recruitment strategies that enhance enrollment in nursing education programs, with a focus on global perspectives.
Background
Many countries face nursing shortages. Recruitment strategies, such as financial incentives, early exposure programs and mentorship, aim to address these shortages. However, their effectiveness varies across contexts, necessitating a systematic review of evidence.
Design
A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, Institute of Medicine (IOM) standards and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology.
Methods
A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CINAHL and ERIC for peer-reviewed studies published in English between 2014 and 2024. Studies reporting on recruitment interventions and outcomes such as enrollment rates, diversity metrics, or career perceptions were included. Quality assessment was performed using JBI tools and findings were synthesized thematically.
Results
Fifteen studies from eight countries highlighted that strategies such as simulation, role-playing, mentorship and early exposure programs effectively increased interest in nursing, particularly among underrepresented groups. Motivating factors included job security and the perception of nursing as a caring profession, while barriers such as gender stigma, cultural misconceptions and financial constraints persisted. Public campaigns and culturally sensitive mentorship improved recruitment, particularly among South Asian male nurses. Most studies used questionnaires to assess effectiveness, emphasizing the need for standardized evaluation.
Conclusions
A multi-level approach integrating financial support, inclusive messaging, mentorship and long-term career pathways is essential for recruitment. This review provides a global perspective on best practices and underscores the need for standardized evaluation.
Details
Nursing Education;
Cultural Differences;
Evidence Based Practice;
Database Management Systems;
School Holding Power;
Incentives;
Student Interests;
Data Analysis;
Labor Force;
High School Students;
Check Lists;
Information Seeking;
Minority Groups;
Family Influence;
Barriers;
Career Change;
Focus Groups;
Nurses;
Career Choice;
Job Security;
Family Role;
Meta Analysis;
Enrollment Rate;
Ethnic Groups
Enrollments;
Systematic review;
Simulation;
Cultural sensitivity;
Occupations;
Secondary school students;
Medical education;
Occupational choice;
Inclusion;
Stigma;
Nurses;
Monetary incentives;
Educational systems;
Population;
Nursing education;
Public finance;
Recruitment;
Shortages;
Mentoring;
Education;
Nursing;
Educational programs;
Job security;
Professional training;
Misconceptions;
Multiculturalism & pluralism;
Financial support;
Financial incentives;
Helping professions;
Content analysis;
Strategies;
Role playing;
Minority & ethnic groups;
Student retention;
Workforce;
Global perspective;
Effectiveness;
Best practice;
Medicine;
Quality assessment;
Data collection;
Qualitative research;
Career development;
Employment security
