Planning a Career as a Children’s Nurse: the Availability of Career Guidance During the Nurse Diploma Course

Abstract

The recruitment and retention of registered children’s nurses is paramount to the implementation of the national service framework for children’s services. In recent years there have been increased career opportunities for children’s nurses and a diversity of career pathways. Career guidance has a potential contribution to make to the effective management of nurses’ careers. This article presents findings on child health diplomates’ experiences of career guidance during the nurse diploma course. Findings indicate a substantial unmet demand for career guidance. The implications of the findings for child health nurses’ careers are discussed and considered in relation to two key questions: should efforts be directed towards ensuring greater provision of career guidance, and if so, by whom?