Factors influencing nursing students’ motivation to work with older adults after graduation: a mixed-methods study

• Nursing students' motivations for geriatric care stem from personal and external factors. • Students’ characteristics, education, and work conditions affect their interest in geriatrics. • A broad range of motivations requires a multifaceted approach for effectiveness. Despite an aging population, interest among nursing students in working with older adults remains low. This study investigates factors influencing nursing students' motivation to pursue geriatric care using a convergent mixed methods approach. A total of 1534 undergraduate nursing students enrolled at two universities completed questionnaires on their career preferences and motivations regarding geriatric care. Of these, 56 students expressed an interest in geriatric care, while 341 did not. Motivations emerging from an inductive content analysis were related to personal characteristics (predispositions, attitudes, prior experiences with older adults), educational experiences (clinical practice and theory), working conditions (job characteristics, perceived competence), and geriatric care characteristics (scope of nursing and nature of patient needs). These motivations were shaped by students' age, place of origin, and attitudes towards older adults. Findings highlight a need for targeted educational interventions to address barriers and enhance the appeal of geriatric care as a career option for future nurses.