Selected factors influencing the motivation for choosing nursing profession

Introduction. The principal motivation for choosing nursing profession should be pro-social motivation. It seems that empathy, as well as a sense of coherence are among the factors that may have a positive impact on the effective professional performance of nurses and motivation to practice this profession.

Aim. The aim of the research undertaken in this study was to evaluate the relationship between empathy as well as a sense of coherence and motivation in choosing nursing courses at university.

Material and methods. The study was conducted among 92 first-year students of nursing undergraduate course of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow. Diagnostic survey method was used in the study. Research tools were the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) by MH Davis, Sense of Coherence Questionnaire (SOC 13) and motivation scale for choosing the profession designed by the author of this work.

Results. A statistically significant positive correlation has been found between the following components of empathy: empathic concern, accepting another person’s perspective as well as a sense of coherence in global and particular terms, and the level of exocentric motives for choosing a nursing university course.

Conclusions. Empathy and a sense of coherence are important factors influencing the pro-social nature of motivation for choosing the nursing profession.

Nursing Topics 2014; 22 (2): 136–141