Work Preference of Aspiring Nurses in Sulu Province

Abstract

This study examined the work preferences of aspiring nurses in Sulu Province, Philippines, with particular emphasis on the influence of socio-economic profile, employment packages, social support, and personal aspirations. Anchored on the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) of Lent, Brown, and Hackett, the research sought to explain how self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and personal goals shape employment preferences among final-year nursing students. A quantitative-descriptive, cross-sectional research design was employed, involving 446 fourth-year nursing students from five selected nursing schools in Sulu Province during School Year 2024–2025. Data were collected using a self-constructed, validated survey questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, ANOVA, t-tests, and multinomial logistic regression. The findings revealed that local employment was the most preferred option across genders; however, female students showed a stronger inclination toward overseas employment, while male students demonstrated relatively higher preference for national-level work. Significant differences in work preferences were observed when respondents were grouped according to gender, monthly family income, parental occupation, and parental education. Employment packages—particularly salary and welfare programs—were significant predictors of overseas employment preference, while employer reputation moderately influenced national employment preference. Social support from family negatively predicted overseas work preference, indicating that strong family ties discourage migration. Personal aspirations such as skills enhancement, family responsibility, and recreational experience were highly valued across all work preferences but did not mediate the relationship between socio-economic profile and work preference. The study concludes that nursing students’ work preferences are shaped more directly by socio-economic conditions, financial incentives, and family background than by personal aspirations. The findings support the need for policies that strengthen local employment conditions, enhance welfare benefits, and provide targeted career guidance, particularly for students from low-income families. This study contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by informing strategies that support nurse retention, equitable workforce distribution, and sustainable healthcare delivery. By addressing workforce preferences in a geographically underserved region, the study highlights the importance of aligning education, labor policies, and institutional practices to promote long-term socio-economic and health system sustainability.