Professional Readiness of Senior Nursing Students: The Role of Professional Commitment and Values

Professional readiness is essential for newly graduated nurses to effectively transition into clinical practice and deliver quality patient care. This cross-sectional study examined the factors influencing professional readiness among 206 senior nursing students at a public university in Southeastern Turkey. Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, Nursing Professional Commitment Scale (NPCS), Nursing Professional Values Scale (NPVS), and the Nursing Professional Readiness Perception Scale (NPRPS). Statistical analyses, including t tests, ANOVA, and path analysis, were conducted. Female students showed significantly higher levels of professional readiness and values compared to male students (p < 0.001). Income level and motivations for choosing nursing were also found to significantly impact readiness. On path analysis, professional commitment (β = 0.35, p < 0.05) and professional values (β = 0.349, p < 0.05) emerged as significant predictors of readiness, jointly explaining 34% (R² = 0.34) of its variance. These findings underscore the importance of fostering professional commitment and values in nursing education to support students' readiness for clinical roles and enhance professional development.