Lauren Ann Ingram MSc, BSc, Catherine Elizabeth O'Kane MSc, PgC FHEA, PgD, BSc, RN, Stephen Mullay PhD, BHSc (Hons), BSc Hons, BNurs, PgCap, SPQ (Gerontological Nursing), IP/SP, RN, QN, FHEA
{"title":"Unlocking the Drive: Exploring the Hidden Motivations and Challenges of Nurses Pursuing Postgraduate Education: A Narrative Review of the Literature","authors":"Lauren Ann Ingram MSc, BSc, Catherine Elizabeth O'Kane MSc, PgC FHEA, PgD, BSc, RN, Stephen Mullay PhD, BHSc (Hons), BSc Hons, BNurs, PgCap, SPQ (Gerontological Nursing), IP/SP, RN, QN, FHEA","doi":"10.1016/j.jradnu.2024.11.003","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent years, postgraduate study for nurses has surged, driven by various dynamics. Despite role diversity, many require expert knowledge gained via master's-level study. However, postgraduates encounter challenges balancing part-time studies, full-time work, and caregiving. This review systematically examined existing evidence and critically discussed emerging themes. Key motivations included promotion, self-growth, and critical thinking/mastery of their chosen field, with notable challenges including poor work-life balance, lack of support, and financial strain. Nursing postgraduate students are not alone in this struggle, with many other student populations facing similar challenges. This prompts inquiry into strategies within postgraduate programs to address these issues, focusing on empowering students, improving learning engagement, work-life balance, and fostering equality and diversity among learners.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Radiology Nursing","volume":"44 1","pages":"Pages 57-64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Radiology Nursing","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1546084324001561","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"Nursing","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
In recent years, postgraduate study for nurses has surged, driven by various dynamics. Despite role diversity, many require expert knowledge gained via master's-level study. However, postgraduates encounter challenges balancing part-time studies, full-time work, and caregiving. This review systematically examined existing evidence and critically discussed emerging themes. Key motivations included promotion, self-growth, and critical thinking/mastery of their chosen field, with notable challenges including poor work-life balance, lack of support, and financial strain. Nursing postgraduate students are not alone in this struggle, with many other student populations facing similar challenges. This prompts inquiry into strategies within postgraduate programs to address these issues, focusing on empowering students, improving learning engagement, work-life balance, and fostering equality and diversity among learners.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Radiology Nursing promotes the highest quality patient care in the diagnostic and therapeutic imaging environments. The content is intended to show radiology nurses how to practice with compassion, competence, and commitment, not only to patients but also to the profession of nursing as a whole. The journal goals mirror those of the Association for Radiologic & Imaging Nursing: to provide, promote, maintain , and continuously improve patient care through education, standards, professional growth, and collaboration with other health care provides.