Introduction: For providing quality of healthcare services, appropriate and efficient staff is also necessary in the field of nursing. The future of nursing depends on students who begin their first employment after completing their studies. For the recruitment and retention of nursing students, it is important to gain professional commitment, as it is one of the reasons newly employed individuals remain in the profession they were educated for. Professional commitment influences on the decision of nursing students to continue their career path in the nursing profession. Purpose: The purpose of the research in the context of this master's thesis is to investigate the level of professional commitment of nursing students in Slovenia, the correlation between the level of professional commitment of students and their intention to continue their career path in the nursing profession, and the factors that increase the level of professional commitment of students. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted. Data were collected using a survey questionnaire. The sample included 180 nursing students. Data was analyzed using statistical methods: Cronbach alpha test, Shapiro-Wilk test, Spearman's correlation test, one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey's post-hoc test. Results: The research confirmed that a higher level of professional commitment is strongly associated with a greater intention to continue a career in the nursing profession. We found that the level of motivation for studying and the level of job satisfaction are related to the level of professional commitment of nursing students. The correlation between the level of professional commitment and academic success or the amount of work students perform was not confirmed. Discussion and conclusion: Deciding to continue a career path is a complex process influenced by multiple factors. Professional commitment, which includes an emotional connection to the profession, identification with professional values and goals, and responsibility towards work and colleagues, is particularly important. Understanding the connection between professional commitment and continuing a career path is crucial for developing effective strategies to retain employees and improve organizational performance. Analyzing the factors that influence professional commitment should lead to the adaptation of work environment and staffing policies, reducing staff turnover, and ensuring the long-term stability of the healthcare system. Appropriate strategies would make the nursing profession more attractive to students, encouraging them to select it and remain in it. The topic is current and important, and establishing quality healthcare systems is of utmost importance for the health of every individual.
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