Moderating effects of career decision-making self-efficacy and social support in the relationship between career barriers and job-seeking stress among nursing students preparing for employment

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify whether career decision-making self-efficacy and social support provide a moderating effect between career barriers and job-seeking stress for 4th year nursing students preparing for employment. Methods: A self report questionnaire survey was completed by 300 4th year nursing students at 6 universities located in 4 cities in Korea. Data were gathered during July, 2017 and analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 program. Results: There was significant positive correlation between career barriers and job-seeking stress, and negative correlation between career decision-making self-efficacy, social support and job-seeking stress. Career decision-making self-efficacy and social support had significant moderating effects in the relationship between career barriers and job-seeking stress among nursing students preparing for employment. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that career decision-making self-efficacy and social support are important factors in reducing job-seeking stress among nursing students preparing for employment. Therefore, to understand various job-seeking stress factors among nursing students preparing for employment, consideration must be given to the development of educational programs and support systems to improve career decision-making self-efficacy and social support.