Personal, Social, and Institutional Factors Influencing Nursing Career Decisions: Evidence from a Post-Conflict Philippine Setting

Nursing remains a socially relevant and globally in-demand profession, yet students often struggle to makeinformed career decisions and maintain sustained motivation. This study explored the factors shaping nursingstudents’ career choices and the challenges they face at Mindanao State University – College of Health Sciences(MSU-CHS), Marawi City. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, data were collected from 231 studentsthrough a structured questionnaire assessing personal, interpersonal, and social influences, as well as access tocareer, counseling. Descriptive statistics highlighted that personal motivations, particularly caring for ill familymembers and a strong commitment to service, were the most significant drivers of career choice. Interpersonalencouragement from family and mentors, and admiration for nurses, also shaped decisions, while social factorssuch as financial security and opportunities for overseas employment were influential. Students reported majorchallenges, including academic pressure, financial limitations, and external expectations. Most respondentsindicated limited access to effective career counseling. Findings emphasize the need to strengthen institutionalsupport by improving counseling, mental health services, and financial assistance, and by engaging parents,faculty, and community partners more effectively to prepare resilient, committed future nurses