Path Analysis of Career Decision-making Among Nursing Students: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: A career refers to all the work-related activities and experiences that occur throughout an individual&apos;s life. As healthcare technology advances, jobs become more diverse, making nursing students&apos; careers increasingly important. However, little is known about the career decision-making process of nursing students. To address this, we investigated how nursing students decide about their careers. This study aimed to conduct a path analysis of career decisions among nursing students based on the social cognitive model of career self-management. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. It recruited junior and senior nursing students from 18 universities in a metropolitan area of South Korea. In total, 439 nursing students participated in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire between May 15 and June 5, 2023. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and path analysis. Results: The hypothesized model showed acceptable model fit indices. The path analysis showed that career decision-making self-efficacy (beta = 0.52, p < .001), career outcome expectation (beta = 0.11, p = .041), and nursing competence (beta = 0.11, p = .046) directly impacted career decisions. Furthermore, nursing competence (beta = 0.29, p < .001), satisfaction with the nursing major (beta = 0.13, p < .001), and the learning environment (beta = 0.12, p < .001) indirectly influenced career decisions through the mediation of career decision-making self-efficacy and career outcome expectation. Conclusion: Career decision-making self-efficacy and nursing competence are crucial factors in nursing students&apos; career decisions. The proposed model provides a foundation for developing strategies to enhance nursing students&apos; career decision-making. Nursing educators and institutions can use this model to design and implement a tailored career education curriculum that empowers nursing students to manage and advance their careers effectively.