Factors Affecting Career Choice in the Field of Nursing Practice Among Selected Graduates of Perpetual College of Manila Batch 2018-2024

Abstract

The study factors affecting career choice in the field of nursing practice among selected graduates of Perpetual Help College of Manila Batch 2018–2024 explores the internal and external influences that shape the career decisions of nursing graduates. It gives emphasis on  how personal attributes such as skills and abilities, values and beliefs, past experiences, emotions, and anxiety and stress interact with external conditions like financial benefits, family influence, work environment, school influence and professors or teachers to guide graduates in choosing their field of practice. The study also emphasizes the importance of early clinical exposure, career counseling, and diverse training experiences in helping graduates develop self-awareness and make informed, confident career choices within the healthcare sector.

This study examined the internal and external factors influencing field-of-practice selection among registered nursing graduates of Perpetual Help College of Manila (PHCM), Batch 2018–2024. Guided by Holland’s Theory of Career Choice, King’s Goal Attainment Theory, and Benner’s Novice-to-Expert Theory, the study explored how personal competencies, values, and environmental influences shape early-career decisions. A quantitative descriptive design was employed using a validated questionnaire administered to 54 purposively selected graduates. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and weighted mean. Results showed that internal factors, particularly skills and abilities (????̄ = 4.54), values/beliefs (????̄ = 4.44), and past experiences (????̄ = 4.26), strongly influenced career choices. Among external factors, financial benefits (????̄ = 4.40), family influence (????̄ = 4.20), and work environment (????̄ = 4.18) were the most significant. Graduates predominantly worked in private hospitals and specialized units such as wards, operating rooms, and emergency departments. The findings suggest that career choices are multifactorial and evolve through early professional exposure. Implications for nursing education, hospital administration, and career development programs are discussed. The study findings reveal that PHCM nursing graduates rely on a combination of internal and external factors when choosing their field of practice. Internal factors, particularly skills and abilities, play a significant role in shaping field-of-practice choices, demonstrating the importance of personal competency alignment. This supports Benner’s Novice-to-Expert Theory, which identifies skill development as a core component of professional growth (Wei et al., 2021).