Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41339838›Full record

ArticleBMC nursing2025

Job satisfaction and professional relationships of nurse educators employed in higher education institutions in Croatia: a qualitative study.

Lara Vinko, Valentina Koscak, Mia Plenkovic, Ivica Matic, Marta Civljak, Marin Cargo, Vesna Mijoc, Ivana Barac, Sanja Zoranic, Mario Marendic and 9 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

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.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

19 authors.

Lara VinkoCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 244, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0001-4128-1086
Valentina KoscakDubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0445-642X
Mia PlenkovicUniversity of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6509-0495
Ivica MaticCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 244, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4334-1158
Marta CivljakCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 244, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6211-0174
Marin CargoCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 244, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0189-4168
Vesna MijocCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 244, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7236-3036
Ivana BaracFaculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7539-2019
Sanja ZoranicDepartment of Nursing, University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3686-2353
Mario MarendicFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Split, Split, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2968-1175
Marijana NeubergDepartment of Nursing, University North, Varazdin, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1850-3808
Dijana MajstorovicFaculty of Medicine, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Pula, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2933-7497
Alen BrecekUniversity of Applied Sciences Ivanic-Grad, Ivanic-Grad, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-4450-0901
Kata IvanisevicFaculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5830-2640
Andrea VuksaDepartment of Health Studies, Sibenik University of Applied Sciences, Sibenik, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0001-6278-052X
Natasa SkitarelicDepartment of Health Studies, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7155-8648
Zrinka PuharicFaculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2274-8293
Snjezana CukljekFaculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6435-5818
Livia PuljakCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, 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

backgroundThe role of nurse educators in academia requires balancing teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities, often with limited institutional recognition or support. These demands can influence job satisfaction, professional relationships and faculty retention. In Croatia, where nursing education is still developing within the higher education system, little is known about the experiences of nurse educators. This study explored job satisfaction and professional relationships of nurse educators employed full time in higher education institutions in Croatia.

methodsAn exploratory descriptive qualitative study was conducted in 2024 among full-time nurse educators from 12 higher education institutions offering accredited nursing programs in Croatia. Data were collected through semi-structured online interviews. The interview guide included questions on job satisfaction and professional relationships. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

resultsThe study included 52 participants. Participants generally reported high job satisfaction, associated with autonomy in academic work, opportunities for professional development, and meaningful interaction with students. However, dissatisfaction stemmed from administrative overload, limited financial incentives, and uneven task distribution among colleagues. Institutional support and collegiality emerged as key factors sustaining motivation and professional identity, while many educators expressed a desire for closer integration of academic and clinical roles to strengthen both teaching relevance and clinical competence.

conclusionThis study highlighted the complex interplay between job satisfaction, professional expectations, and institutional support of nurse educators employed as full-time faculty. The findings emphasise the need for institutional and policy reforms to enhance the working conditions and recognition of nurse educators. Reducing administrative demands, providing fair financial and professional rewards, and establishing structured mentorship and development programs could foster career sustainability and faculty retention. Strengthening institutional support for academic nurses is essential for maintaining a competent and motivated teaching workforce, ultimately improving the quality and continuity of nursing education and practice in Croatia. CLINICAL

trial registrationNot applicable. This study was not a clinical trial.

Indexed as

Job satisfactionNursingProfessional relationshipUniversities

Identifiers

PMID41339838
PMCPMC12676757

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.