Personal and Academic Factors Influencing the Professional Attitudes of Nursing Students at Nguyen Tat Thanh University

Abstract

Professional attitude is a crucial factor influencing learning motivation and commitment to nursing profession among nursing students. This study aimed to determine the number of students with a positive professional attitude and analyze associated personal and academic factors. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from May to August, 2024 among 294 nursing students at Nguyen Tat Thanh University. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, consisting of 18 items assessing professional attitude and related variables. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression were performed with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results showed that 89.5% of students demonstrated a positive professional attitude. The logistic regression model revealed that students with family members working in the health sector were 2.7 times more likely to exhibit a positive professional attitude compared to those without (p = 0.02; 95% CI: 1.15-6.41). Other variables, including gender, age, GPA, place of residence, caregiving experience, and source of career guidance, were not statistically significant, yet demonstrated potential trends. These findings suggest that having relatives in the healthcare field may serve as an inspiring factor in shaping a positive professional attitude, highlighting the need for further integration of family and mentorship influences in career counseling and nursing education.