Perception of Future Careers and Associated Factors Among Undergraduate Nursing Students at a Private College in Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia, 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Understanding undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions of their profession is a crucial issue for improving educational programs, enhancing support systems, and ultimately preparing competent and compassionate healthcare professionals. The aim of this study is to assess undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions of their future careers in a private institution in Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia, 2026. Objectives: To assess the perceptions and their associated factors among undergraduate nursing students toward their future nursing careers at Debre Berhan town private college, North East Ethiopia, 2026. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1–28, 2026, among undergraduate nursing students. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between the dependent and independent variables. Variables with a p-value < 0.25 in bivariable logistic regression were used as candidates for multivariable logistic regression, and those variables with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were used. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test for logistic regression was checked to examine the goodness of fit of the model, and multicollinearity was assessed using variance inflation factors. Result: The overall proportion of a positive perception among undergraduate nursing students towards their profession at Debre Berhan Town Private College was 221 (53.4%) (95% CI: 48.6–58.2). Being a female student (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.222–2.910), being a junior-level student (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.027–2.374), and choosing the nursing profession due to personal interest (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.029–4.703) were significantly associated with a positive perception towards their profession. Conclusions: More than half of the undergraduate nursing students had a positive perception towards their profession. Being a female student, being a junior-level student, and choosing the nursing profession due to personal interest showed a statistically significant association with a positive perception towards their profession.