Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40355944›Full record

ArticleBMC nursing2025

Croatian nursing students' motives for enrolling in the Master of Nursing program despite limited career opportunities: a qualitative study.

Andrea Vukša, Marta Čivljak, Ivica Matic, Marin Čargo, Vesna Mijoč, Kata Ivanišević, Mario Marendić, Zrinka Puharić, Nataša Skitarelić, Sanja Zoranić and 5 more

Abstract read
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Article in BMC nursing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Andrea VukšaDepartment of Health Studies, Sibenik University of Applied Sciences, Šibenik, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0001-6278-052X
Marta ČivljakCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Department of Nursing, Department of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 244, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6211-0174
Ivica MaticCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Department of Nursing, Department of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 244, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4334-1158
Marin ČargoCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Department of Nursing, Department of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 244, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0189-4168
Vesna MijočCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Department of Nursing, Department of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 244, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7236-3036
Kata IvaniševićFaculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5830-2640
Mario MarendićUniversity Department of Health Studies, University of Split, Split, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2968-1175
Zrinka PuharićFaculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2274-8293
Nataša SkitarelićDepartment of Health Studies, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7155-8648
Sanja ZoranićDepartment of Nursing, University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3686-2353
Marijana NeubergDepartment of Nursing, University North, Varaždin, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1850-3808
Dijana MajstorovićFaculty of Medicine, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Pula, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2933-7497
Karlo LožnjakSchool for Nurses Vrapče, Zagreb, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-6434-5109
Mia PlenkovićSchool of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6509-0495
Livia PuljakCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Department of Nursing, Department of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 244, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia. livia.puljak@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8467-6061

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn 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.

aimTo explore the motives of Croatian nursing students for enrolling in the MN program despite uncertainty regarding their future salary and career status.

methodsA 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.

resultsWe 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.

conclusionOur 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.

Indexed as

Career developmentMasters educationMotivational factorsNursesNursing education

Identifiers

PMID40355944
PMCPMC12067658

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.