Attitude and Belief of Nurses About Nursing Profession and Their Influence on Career Choice

Background: The nursing profession is integral to healthcare systems worldwide, yet it faces persistent challenges related to workforce shortages, low societal recognition, and limited career progression, all of which influence recruitment and retention. Understanding how nursing students’ attitudes and beliefs shape their career choices is essential for strengthening the nursing workforce and addressing these ongoing challenges. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes and beliefs of nursing students about the nursing profession and examine how these internal perceptions influence their career decisions and professional identity. Methods: A quasi-experimental, cross-sectional study was conducted at Ali Fatima Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, involving 40 female Bachelor of Science in Nursing students under the age of 25. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire, capturing demographic characteristics and Likert-scale responses on attitudes and beliefs. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 27 to assess response distributions and key associations. Results: The majority of participants (68.3%) reported choosing nursing due to intrinsic motivation and alignment with professional values, while only 19.5% perceived high societal value for the profession. A substantial proportion (70.7%) expressed concern over limited career advancement, and 83.9% believed nurses are undervalued within healthcare teams. High internal value alignment was strongly associated with career fulfillment (OR = 9.50, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Nursing students display strong intrinsic motivation and professional pride but face significant external barriers, particularly regarding societal undervaluation and perceived lack of growth opportunities. Interventions that enhance professional recognition and support career development are critical for improving recruitment and retention.