RESUMO
AIM: To evaluate the nursing image and social status characteristics on young people's decision to choose nursing as a career. BACKGROUND: Low social status and social image threaten the nursing workforce. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study was conducted with 745 high school students and 349 nursing students between 24 March and 10 May 2022. The data were collected through the Nursing Image Scale, Job Satisfaction Scale and Personal Form and analyzed using multiple regression and decision tree analysis. RESULTS: High school (43.1 %) and 73.6 % of nursing students expressed their intention to become a nurse. While the likelihood of choosing nursing as a career decreases among man high school students (p = 0.018) with a high occupation (p = 0.003) and income index (p = 0.003), it increases among low-income female students (p = 0.012), perceiving occupational status more positively (p = 0.002). The possibility of continuing in the profession increases among nursing students who have a higher opinion of the profession's status (p = 0.010) and job satisfaction increases as the image perception improves (r = 0.385, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Perception of professional image guides career choice in nursing. The choice of nursing as a future profession differs according to gender and is influenced by social status. The glass ceiling effect should be evaluated in nurses coming from low status.