Croatian nursing students’ motives for enrolling in the Master of Nursing program despite limited career opportunities: a qualitative study
Abstract Background In 2022, only 1.7% of nurses in Croatian healthcare were employed at a job defined as a Master of Nursing (MN) graduate. In the current labour market, most MN graduates in Croatia cannot hope for salary increases or better employment opportunities after graduation. Thus, it is un...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | BMC Nursing |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03152-3 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849310330360954880 |
|---|---|
| author | Andrea Vukša Marta Čivljak Ivica Matic Marin Čargo Vesna Mijoč Kata Ivanišević Mario Marendić Zrinka Puharić Nataša Skitarelić Sanja Zoranić Marijana Neuberg Dijana Majstorović Karlo Ložnjak Mia Plenković Livia Puljak |
| author_facet | Andrea Vukša Marta Čivljak Ivica Matic Marin Čargo Vesna Mijoč Kata Ivanišević Mario Marendić Zrinka Puharić Nataša Skitarelić Sanja Zoranić Marijana Neuberg Dijana Majstorović Karlo Ložnjak Mia Plenković Livia Puljak |
| author_sort | Andrea Vukša |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In 2022, only 1.7% of nurses in Croatian healthcare were employed at a job defined as a Master of Nursing (MN) graduate. In the current labour market, most MN graduates in Croatia cannot hope for salary increases or better employment opportunities after graduation. Thus, it is unclear what motivates students to enrol in MN studies, and how they perceive their career possibilities after graduation. Aim To explore the motives of Croatian nursing students for enrolling in the MN program despite uncertainty regarding their future salary and career status. Methods A qualitative study was conducted. Thematic analysis was conducted on the narratives gathered from semi-structured interviews with full-time and part-time students in Croatia. Results We included 30 students of MN programs attending seven MN institutions. The main themes identified for both full-time and part-time students’ motivation to enrol in MN studies were a desire for personal and professional growth and various practical considerations. Optimism about future career prospects was a strong motivation for part-time students. Involvement in scientific work and education was the most common perceived benefit for future professional development with an MN degree for both groups of participants. Conclusion Our findings offer valuable insights into the motivating factors behind MN studies, especially in situations where the value of the MN qualification is under scrutiny, and immediate career or financial benefits may not be apparent upon graduation. Understanding these motivations allows educational and professional organizations to enhance their support for MN graduates looking to advance their careers. By aligning career pathways with their aspirations and motives, nurses can achieve personal fulfilment, even if financial compensation is not their primary motivation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fed1d795f5bc48b8a4e596bad7ef0a6f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6955 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nursing |
| spelling | doaj-art-fed1d795f5bc48b8a4e596bad7ef0a6f2025-08-20T03:53:46ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552025-05-0124111210.1186/s12912-025-03152-3Croatian nursing students’ motives for enrolling in the Master of Nursing program despite limited career opportunities: a qualitative studyAndrea Vukša0Marta Čivljak1Ivica Matic2Marin Čargo3Vesna Mijoč4Kata Ivanišević5Mario Marendić6Zrinka Puharić7Nataša Skitarelić8Sanja Zoranić9Marijana Neuberg10Dijana Majstorović11Karlo Ložnjak12Mia Plenković13Livia Puljak14Department of Health Studies, Sibenik University of Applied SciencesCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Department of Nursing, Department of Medicine, Catholic University of CroatiaCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Department of Nursing, Department of Medicine, Catholic University of CroatiaCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Department of Nursing, Department of Medicine, Catholic University of CroatiaCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Department of Nursing, Department of Medicine, Catholic University of CroatiaFaculty of Health Studies, University of RijekaUniversity Department of Health Studies, University of SplitFaculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of OsijekDepartment of Health Studies, University of ZadarDepartment of Nursing, University of DubrovnikDepartment of Nursing, University NorthFaculty of Medicine, Juraj Dobrila University of PulaSchool for Nurses VrapčeSchool of Medicine, University of SplitCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Department of Nursing, Department of Medicine, Catholic University of CroatiaAbstract Background In 2022, only 1.7% of nurses in Croatian healthcare were employed at a job defined as a Master of Nursing (MN) graduate. In the current labour market, most MN graduates in Croatia cannot hope for salary increases or better employment opportunities after graduation. Thus, it is unclear what motivates students to enrol in MN studies, and how they perceive their career possibilities after graduation. Aim To explore the motives of Croatian nursing students for enrolling in the MN program despite uncertainty regarding their future salary and career status. Methods A qualitative study was conducted. Thematic analysis was conducted on the narratives gathered from semi-structured interviews with full-time and part-time students in Croatia. Results We included 30 students of MN programs attending seven MN institutions. The main themes identified for both full-time and part-time students’ motivation to enrol in MN studies were a desire for personal and professional growth and various practical considerations. Optimism about future career prospects was a strong motivation for part-time students. Involvement in scientific work and education was the most common perceived benefit for future professional development with an MN degree for both groups of participants. Conclusion Our findings offer valuable insights into the motivating factors behind MN studies, especially in situations where the value of the MN qualification is under scrutiny, and immediate career or financial benefits may not be apparent upon graduation. Understanding these motivations allows educational and professional organizations to enhance their support for MN graduates looking to advance their careers. By aligning career pathways with their aspirations and motives, nurses can achieve personal fulfilment, even if financial compensation is not their primary motivation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03152-3Career developmentNursesNursing educationMasters educationMotivational factors |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Vukša Marta Čivljak Ivica Matic Marin Čargo Vesna Mijoč Kata Ivanišević Mario Marendić Zrinka Puharić Nataša Skitarelić Sanja Zoranić Marijana Neuberg Dijana Majstorović Karlo Ložnjak Mia Plenković Livia Puljak Croatian nursing students’ motives for enrolling in the Master of Nursing program despite limited career opportunities: a qualitative study BMC Nursing Career development Nurses Nursing education Masters education Motivational factors |
| title | Croatian nursing students’ motives for enrolling in the Master of Nursing program despite limited career opportunities: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Croatian nursing students’ motives for enrolling in the Master of Nursing program despite limited career opportunities: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Croatian nursing students’ motives for enrolling in the Master of Nursing program despite limited career opportunities: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Croatian nursing students’ motives for enrolling in the Master of Nursing program despite limited career opportunities: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Croatian nursing students’ motives for enrolling in the Master of Nursing program despite limited career opportunities: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | croatian nursing students motives for enrolling in the master of nursing program despite limited career opportunities a qualitative study |
| topic | Career development Nurses Nursing education Masters education Motivational factors |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03152-3 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT andreavuksa croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT martacivljak croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT ivicamatic croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT marincargo croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT vesnamijoc croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT kataivanisevic croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT mariomarendic croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT zrinkapuharic croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT natasaskitarelic croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT sanjazoranic croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT marijananeuberg croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT dijanamajstorovic croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT karloloznjak croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT miaplenkovic croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy AT liviapuljak croatiannursingstudentsmotivesforenrollinginthemasterofnursingprogramdespitelimitedcareeropportunitiesaqualitativestudy |