MASTERS AND MOTHERHOOD: THE STRUGGLES OF SINGLE MOTHER NURSES WORKING IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES IN PURSUING GRADUATE EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

The pursuit of higher education among single mother nurses working in foreign countries presents unique challenges that intertwine professional, academic, and caregiving responsibilities. This study aimed to explore and document the struggles faced by single mothers in the nursing profession as they pursue graduate education abroad. Utilizing a qualitative-descriptive research design, purposive sampling was employed to select 15 participants from various countries. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews guided by an interview protocol and analyzed using thematic analysis. Eight major themes emerged from the data: financial constraints, time management challenges, lack of social support, emotional and mental health issues, institutional barriers, work-study-life balance, motivational factors, and coping strategies. The findings highlighted the significant financial and emotional burdens experienced by single mother nurses, exacerbated by inadequate institutional support and the demanding nature of both their work and academic environments. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination to achieve their educational goals. The study underscores the need for more flexible academic programs, enhanced institutional support, and targeted policies to assist single mother nurses in balancing their multiple roles. Recommendations include the development of comprehensive support systems within educational institutions and workplaces to better accommodate the unique needs of this demographic. This research contributes to the limited literature on single mother nurses in higher education and provides actionable insights for policymakers and educational institutions.