Using the theory of planned behaviour to explain junior nurses’ and final year student nurses’ intention to care for COVID-19 patients in China: A multisite cross-sectional study

Aim: To explore junior nurses and final-year student nurses' intention to care for COVID-19 patients amidst the Delta COVID-19 variant outbreak in China using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as a framework.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified global nursing shortage. Junior nurses and final-year student nurses represent the backbone of the future frontline nursing workforce. The TPB is a valid theoretical model for predicting nurses' caring behaviours.

Methods: A 47-item self-administered questionnaire was disseminated online to a convenience sample of 547 junior nurses and final-year student nurses located in 13 regions across mainland China.

Results: Approximately 63.4% of the participants intended to care for COVID-19 patients voluntarily and 65.6% by non-voluntary assignment. The TPB model significantly predicted 45% of the variance in behavioural intention, subjective norms being the strongest predictor. Gender, vaccination status and ethical perceptions regarding frontline work significantly correlated with the intention to provide care.

Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of social, organisational and family support underpinning future junior nurses' professional commitment in times of public health crisis.

Implications for nursing management: Pandemic-tailored workplace training programmes for nurses/student nurses that emphasize on self-care and ethical issue discussions are warranted. Hospital managers should collaborate with community partners to offer additional family support for nurses in need.