Assessment of determinants of limited specialization in nursing practice among student nurses at Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State

Nursing specialization is increasingly important for meeting the complex healthcare needs of modern society. This study assessed determinants of limited specialization in nursing practice among student nurses at Adeleke University. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and used Yamane’s formula to calculate the sample size. A total of 197 eligible respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using a self-structured validated questionnaire which was analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS). Results revealed that a significant proportion of respondents, 39.59% (78), strongly agreed, and 43.14% (85) agreed that the availability of mentor-ship opportunities influenced their choice of nursing specialization. Similarly, a strong majority (35.53% strongly agreed and 47.69% agreed) indicated that opportunities for professional development were pivotal in their specialization decisions. Financial constraints emerged as a notable barrier, with 40.10% (79) strongly agreeing and 33.51% (66) agreeing that such limitations hindered their decisions to specialization in nursing. Limited access to mentor-ship was reported by 79.19% of respondents, while uncertainty about career prospects in specific specialties concerned 76.13%. Work-life balance was another major factor, with 74.62% expressing concern. A lack of exposure to different specialty areas during clinical placements was noted by 81.22%, and 80.2% were concerned about the challenges of obtaining advanced certifications. Lastly, family or peer pressure influenced 67.52% of students in their specialization choices. Establish robust mentor-ship programs provide students with guidance from experienced nurses, helping them navigate their specialization choices and develop professional networks.