Nursing students' commitment and the mediating effect of stress.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Higher Education Studies
• Healthcare Workforce Development

Background:

• A significant shortage of qualified nurses exists globally, impacting healthcare delivery.
• Understanding factors influencing nursing students' academic major commitment is crucial for effective recruitment and retention strategies.
• Existing research often overlooks the nuanced interplay of career aspirations, specialty awareness, and personal influences on nursing student retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the key factors influencing nursing students' commitment to their academic major.
• To analyze the direct impact of perceived career growth, occupational specialty knowledge, and social influences (family, instructors) on commitment.
• To examine the mediating role of stress in the relationship between these factors and commitment to nursing programs.

Main Methods:

• A structured survey was administered to 167 nursing students at one public and one private institution in 2016.
• Data collected included measures of perceived career growth, understanding of occupational specialties, family and instructor influence, and stress levels.
• Ordinary least squares regression analysis was employed to assess direct and mediated relationships using SPSS version 22.

Main Results:

• Perceived career growth, understanding of occupational specialties, and family influence were found to directly and positively correlate with nursing students' commitment.
• Stress was identified as a full mediator, indicating that high stress levels significantly undermine commitment, even when other factors are favorable.
• Students with higher stress levels may doubt their abilities or perceive the nursing profession as less desirable, impacting their dedication.

Conclusions:

• Program administrators can leverage insights into career potential and specialty options to enhance student commitment.
• Addressing and mitigating student stress is paramount for improving retention rates in nursing programs.
• Fostering positive identification with the nursing profession is key to successful recruitment and retention efforts.