Enablers and barriers in the professional development of nurses employed full-time at university nursing studies in Croatia: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Multiple studies have highlighted the challenges faced by nurse educators working in an academic setting. However, to date, no published research has explored this issue in the Croatian context. This study explored and described the enablers and barriers to the professional devel...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Nursing |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03536-5 |
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| author | Lara Vinko Valentina Koscak Mia Plenkovic Ivica Matic Marta Civljak Marin Cargo Vesna Mijoc Ivana Barac Sanja Zoranic Mario Marendic Marijana Neuberg Dijana Majstorovic Alen Brecek Kata Ivanisevic Andrea Vuksa Natasa Skitarelic Zrinka Puharic Snjezana Cukljek Livia Puljak |
| author_facet | Lara Vinko Valentina Koscak Mia Plenkovic Ivica Matic Marta Civljak Marin Cargo Vesna Mijoc Ivana Barac Sanja Zoranic Mario Marendic Marijana Neuberg Dijana Majstorovic Alen Brecek Kata Ivanisevic Andrea Vuksa Natasa Skitarelic Zrinka Puharic Snjezana Cukljek Livia Puljak |
| author_sort | Lara Vinko |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Multiple studies have highlighted the challenges faced by nurse educators working in an academic setting. However, to date, no published research has explored this issue in the Croatian context. This study explored and described the enablers and barriers to the professional development of full-time nurses employed in university-level nursing education programs in Croatia. Methods A qualitative study was conducted from February to March 2024. Participants were full-time nurse educators holding teaching positions at 12 university-level nursing programs across Croatia. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide and analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. Results Of the 58 individuals who met the inclusion criteria, 52 (90%) nurse educators participated in the study. The sample comprised 10 men and 42 women, ranging in age from 28 to 64 years. Participants identified work overload, particularly the burden of administrative tasks and competing responsibilities, as the primary barrier to their professional development. Additional challenges included limited time and resources, difficulties in organising clinical practice and mentoring, and a perceived disconnect between academic and clinical settings. Despite these challenges, the majority of participants reported overall satisfaction with their academic careers, highlighting the intrinsic value of knowledge dissemination, student engagement, and professional growth. Institutional support was noted in the form of co-financed educational opportunities, mentorship, and involvement in decision-making processes. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that improvements in working conditions and employment policies are needed to enhance job satisfaction among nurses employed in university nursing programs in Croatia. Key areas for intervention include reducing administrative burdens, strengthening management and organizational structures, increasing institutional support, and promoting access to continuous professional education. These factors are essential to fostering the professional development of nurses within an academic setting. Clinical trial registration Not applicable. This study was not a clinical trial. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2e9903b356004411a1718cbd463f3e3b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6955 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nursing |
| spelling | doaj-art-2e9903b356004411a1718cbd463f3e3b2025-08-20T04:01:23ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552025-07-0124111510.1186/s12912-025-03536-5Enablers and barriers in the professional development of nurses employed full-time at university nursing studies in Croatia: a qualitative studyLara Vinko0Valentina Koscak1Mia Plenkovic2Ivica Matic3Marta Civljak4Marin Cargo5Vesna Mijoc6Ivana Barac7Sanja Zoranic8Mario Marendic9Marijana Neuberg10Dijana Majstorovic11Alen Brecek12Kata Ivanisevic13Andrea Vuksa14Natasa Skitarelic15Zrinka Puharic16Snjezana Cukljek17Livia Puljak18Center for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of CroatiaDubrava University HospitalUniversity of Split School of MedicineCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of CroatiaCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of CroatiaCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of CroatiaCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of CroatiaFaculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of OsijekDepartment of Nursing, University of DubrovnikFaculty of Health Sciences, University of SplitDepartment of Nursing, University NorthFaculty of Medicine, Juraj Dobrila University of PulaUniversity of Applied Sciences Ivanic-GradFaculty of Health Studies, University of RijekaDepartment of Health Studies, Sibenik University of Applied SciencesDepartment of Health Studies, University of ZadarFaculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of OsijekFaculty of Health Studies, University of RijekaCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of CroatiaAbstract Background Multiple studies have highlighted the challenges faced by nurse educators working in an academic setting. However, to date, no published research has explored this issue in the Croatian context. This study explored and described the enablers and barriers to the professional development of full-time nurses employed in university-level nursing education programs in Croatia. Methods A qualitative study was conducted from February to March 2024. Participants were full-time nurse educators holding teaching positions at 12 university-level nursing programs across Croatia. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide and analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. Results Of the 58 individuals who met the inclusion criteria, 52 (90%) nurse educators participated in the study. The sample comprised 10 men and 42 women, ranging in age from 28 to 64 years. Participants identified work overload, particularly the burden of administrative tasks and competing responsibilities, as the primary barrier to their professional development. Additional challenges included limited time and resources, difficulties in organising clinical practice and mentoring, and a perceived disconnect between academic and clinical settings. Despite these challenges, the majority of participants reported overall satisfaction with their academic careers, highlighting the intrinsic value of knowledge dissemination, student engagement, and professional growth. Institutional support was noted in the form of co-financed educational opportunities, mentorship, and involvement in decision-making processes. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that improvements in working conditions and employment policies are needed to enhance job satisfaction among nurses employed in university nursing programs in Croatia. Key areas for intervention include reducing administrative burdens, strengthening management and organizational structures, increasing institutional support, and promoting access to continuous professional education. These factors are essential to fostering the professional development of nurses within an academic setting. Clinical trial registration Not applicable. This study was not a clinical trial.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03536-5Administrative personnelCareer mobilityCroatiaEducation, nursingFaculty, medicalFaculty, nursing |
| spellingShingle | Lara Vinko Valentina Koscak Mia Plenkovic Ivica Matic Marta Civljak Marin Cargo Vesna Mijoc Ivana Barac Sanja Zoranic Mario Marendic Marijana Neuberg Dijana Majstorovic Alen Brecek Kata Ivanisevic Andrea Vuksa Natasa Skitarelic Zrinka Puharic Snjezana Cukljek Livia Puljak Enablers and barriers in the professional development of nurses employed full-time at university nursing studies in Croatia: a qualitative study BMC Nursing Administrative personnel Career mobility Croatia Education, nursing Faculty, medical Faculty, nursing |
| title | Enablers and barriers in the professional development of nurses employed full-time at university nursing studies in Croatia: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Enablers and barriers in the professional development of nurses employed full-time at university nursing studies in Croatia: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Enablers and barriers in the professional development of nurses employed full-time at university nursing studies in Croatia: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enablers and barriers in the professional development of nurses employed full-time at university nursing studies in Croatia: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Enablers and barriers in the professional development of nurses employed full-time at university nursing studies in Croatia: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | enablers and barriers in the professional development of nurses employed full time at university nursing studies in croatia a qualitative study |
| topic | Administrative personnel Career mobility Croatia Education, nursing Faculty, medical Faculty, nursing |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03536-5 |
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