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Exploring Demographic Factors Influencing Indian Nursing Students’ Willingness to Volunteer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2025

Pradeepti Prashar Open the ORCID record for Pradeepti Prashar [Opens in a new window]  and
Dinesh Kumar Sharma
Pradeepti Prashar*
Affiliation:
Himachal Pradesh University of Business School, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill Shimla, India
Dinesh Kumar Sharma
Affiliation:
Himachal Pradesh University of Business School, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill Shimla, India
*
Corresponding author: Pradeepti Prashar; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the demographic determinants influencing nursing students’ intentions to volunteer during health emergencies in India, providing insights that can inform policy and educational interventions to enhance their engagement and effectiveness in crisis situations.

Methods

A comprehensive cross-sectional survey was conducted among final-year nursing students, utilizing an online self-administered questionnaire developed through an extensive review of existing literature. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS software tool.

Results

Four hundred nursing students participated in the study. The analysis showed that age, marital status, location, family income, educational program, and district strongly influence volunteer inclinations. Although they face challenges, nursing students’ desire to help during emergencies shows their dedication and importance within health care. Strategic assistance, flexible training, and recognition can increase volunteerism. Giving nursing students resources and support makes them confident, equipped, and motivated to respond to emergencies, improving community resilience and emergency health care.

Conclusions

This study enhances our understanding of demographic influences on volunteerism and informs strategies to foster a more robust and willing nursing workforce in India for future health emergencies. Future research should focus on understanding psychological factors in other states of India.

Keywords

nursing studentshealth emergenciesvolunteer willingnessdemographicIndia
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 18 , 2024 , e324
Copyright
© Pradeepti Prashar, 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

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