Motivations and Attitudes Toward Further Education: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Predictive Study

<b>Background:</b> Educational requirements in healthcare are constantly evolving, and understanding nurses’ motivations toward continuing education is critical to designing nursing programs, developing workforce strategies, and ensuring better healthcare outcomes. <b>Objectives<...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ivana Sušilović, Marija Ljubičić, Tatjana Matijaš, Ivana Bokan, Mario Marendić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Nursing Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/6/190
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849431769057591296
author Ivana Sušilović
Marija Ljubičić
Tatjana Matijaš
Ivana Bokan
Mario Marendić
author_facet Ivana Sušilović
Marija Ljubičić
Tatjana Matijaš
Ivana Bokan
Mario Marendić
author_sort Ivana Sušilović
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Educational requirements in healthcare are constantly evolving, and understanding nurses’ motivations toward continuing education is critical to designing nursing programs, developing workforce strategies, and ensuring better healthcare outcomes. <b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to examine the relationships among nurses’ personal factors, motivations, and attitudes toward further education. <b>Methods:</b> We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 526 employed nurses. Based on their intention to enroll in studies, the nurses were divided into two groups: those who intended to enroll (n = 276) and those who did not intend to enroll (n = 250). We used the Work Preferences Inventory and the Attitudes and Educational Intentions Scale to assess motivations and attitudes toward further education. The multivariate analysis included linear and logistic regression to assess associations between variables. <b>Results:</b> Nurses who intended to enroll in nursing studies had higher intrinsic motivation than nurses who did not. Strong negative associations were found between job challenges and older age (β = −0.68), while length of service was positively correlated (β = 0.46). A lower level of education had a negative effect on overall work motivation (β = −0.15) and attitudes toward future education (β = −0.09). Nurses with higher intrinsic challenge motivation (OR = 1.07) and a positive attitude toward further education (OR = 1.17) were more likely to study nursing. <b>Conclusions:</b> Intrinsic motivation, experience, and a positive attitude toward career advancement influence nurses’ intentions to continue their education. To further motivate nurses, it is crucial to improve working conditions, offer advancement opportunities, and foster a culture that values their contributions and growth.
format Article
id doaj-art-69ea59133c79489a84be4470a55e308f
institution Kabale University
issn 2039-439X
2039-4403
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Nursing Reports
spelling doaj-art-69ea59133c79489a84be4470a55e308f2025-08-20T03:27:32ZengMDPI AGNursing Reports2039-439X2039-44032025-05-0115619010.3390/nursrep15060190Motivations and Attitudes Toward Further Education: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Predictive StudyIvana Sušilović0Marija Ljubičić1Tatjana Matijaš2Ivana Bokan3Mario Marendić4Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Health Studies, University of Zadar, 23000 Zadar, CroatiaUniversity Department of Health Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, CroatiaUniversity Department of Health Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, CroatiaUniversity Department of Health Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia<b>Background:</b> Educational requirements in healthcare are constantly evolving, and understanding nurses’ motivations toward continuing education is critical to designing nursing programs, developing workforce strategies, and ensuring better healthcare outcomes. <b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to examine the relationships among nurses’ personal factors, motivations, and attitudes toward further education. <b>Methods:</b> We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 526 employed nurses. Based on their intention to enroll in studies, the nurses were divided into two groups: those who intended to enroll (n = 276) and those who did not intend to enroll (n = 250). We used the Work Preferences Inventory and the Attitudes and Educational Intentions Scale to assess motivations and attitudes toward further education. The multivariate analysis included linear and logistic regression to assess associations between variables. <b>Results:</b> Nurses who intended to enroll in nursing studies had higher intrinsic motivation than nurses who did not. Strong negative associations were found between job challenges and older age (β = −0.68), while length of service was positively correlated (β = 0.46). A lower level of education had a negative effect on overall work motivation (β = −0.15) and attitudes toward future education (β = −0.09). Nurses with higher intrinsic challenge motivation (OR = 1.07) and a positive attitude toward further education (OR = 1.17) were more likely to study nursing. <b>Conclusions:</b> Intrinsic motivation, experience, and a positive attitude toward career advancement influence nurses’ intentions to continue their education. To further motivate nurses, it is crucial to improve working conditions, offer advancement opportunities, and foster a culture that values their contributions and growth.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/6/190nursingnursing educationmotivationnursing studentprofessional developmentacademic success
spellingShingle Ivana Sušilović
Marija Ljubičić
Tatjana Matijaš
Ivana Bokan
Mario Marendić
Motivations and Attitudes Toward Further Education: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Predictive Study
Nursing Reports
nursing
nursing education
motivation
nursing student
professional development
academic success
title Motivations and Attitudes Toward Further Education: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Predictive Study
title_full Motivations and Attitudes Toward Further Education: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Predictive Study
title_fullStr Motivations and Attitudes Toward Further Education: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Predictive Study
title_full_unstemmed Motivations and Attitudes Toward Further Education: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Predictive Study
title_short Motivations and Attitudes Toward Further Education: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Predictive Study
title_sort motivations and attitudes toward further education a cross sectional descriptive predictive study
topic nursing
nursing education
motivation
nursing student
professional development
academic success
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/6/190
work_keys_str_mv AT ivanasusilovic motivationsandattitudestowardfurthereducationacrosssectionaldescriptivepredictivestudy
AT marijaljubicic motivationsandattitudestowardfurthereducationacrosssectionaldescriptivepredictivestudy
AT tatjanamatijas motivationsandattitudestowardfurthereducationacrosssectionaldescriptivepredictivestudy
AT ivanabokan motivationsandattitudestowardfurthereducationacrosssectionaldescriptivepredictivestudy
AT mariomarendic motivationsandattitudestowardfurthereducationacrosssectionaldescriptivepredictivestudy