OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to understand further point of views of high school students regarding social representation of the discipline of nursing and professional nurses, given the fact they are phasing into career choice decisions. METHODS: This qualitative study was guided by Moscovici's theory of social representation. The sample consisted of five high school students from a private high school. Data from interviews were submitted to discourse analysis. RESULTS: The findings suggest that the discipline of nursing and professional nurses are undervalued by high school students; and, they lack knowledge about nursing educational requirements, working areas and opportunities, and professional autonomy. DISCUSSION: Representations of the discipline of nursing and professional nurses might be associated with the fact that nurses work exclusively in hospitals. CONCLUSION: It is very importance to educate high school students about what nurses do, their competences, and working areas and opportunities.
Nurse's role; Qualitative research; Comunication