[Motives of the career choice and expectations of the profession in nursing students].

Motivation in the choice of a career. What expectations do students-to-be have of nursing? Various groups of nursing students (n = 267) were questioned about reasons for their choice of career, and comparisons were made. In contrast to earlier research findings, there was a multitude of motives. One can no longer assume that nursing students are a homogeneous group. The intrinsic motivation, that of wanting to be useful, is still high, as in previous investigations. Extrinsic reasons (s.a. pay, conditions of work, etc.) which were previously hardly mentioned at all, have increasing importance. A further new reason given for the choice of the career is the opportunity it offers for personal development. It is no longer enough to assume that for future students the motivation of wanting to be useful can be taken for granted, and that all that is necessary for maintaining it, are satisfactory working conditions. In order to ensure job satisfaction and to prevent frustration it will be essential to create conditions which ensure that the motivation to be useful remains intact but which also promote personal growth and development.