A cross-sectional study on the professional excitement of Vietnamese nursing students and related factors

Objective: The profession's development requires an advanced science and skills degree. The major's excitement helps students reduce stress and become more active in their studies. As a result, excitement about the major plays an essential role in increasing the efficiency and quality of learning. This study aims to determine the level of excitement and the factors related to the significant excitement of nursing students at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted on an online survey of 465 nursing students. Each student completed a survey about the level of excitement based on awareness, emotions, learning behaviours, and factors related to excitement in a nursing major. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the current situation of nursing students' excitement for majors and related factors, and the chi-square test was used to assess the relationships. Results: The level of nursing students' excitement in the major evaluated through awareness, emotion, and behaviour was average (17.35 points). Factors related to academic interest include as follows: Year(s) of study (p < 0.001). The most crucial objective factor is job opportunities (89%). The most critical subjective factor is understanding the role and responsibilities of being a nurse (81.5%). Conclusion: According to the results, nursing students' excitement in Vietnam about their major was average and tended to decrease gradually over the school years. Job opportunities and a strong understanding of the role and responsibilities of a nurse are essential factors related to students' excitement about the major.