Sustainable Career Development of Nursing Graduates in Higher Vocational Colleges: A Case Study of Weifang Nursing Vocational College

Background and Aims: Currently, in China nursing graduates of higher vocational colleges are restricted by many factors, particularly career development. Career development is an important indicator for measuring the quality of nursing graduates and the extent to which government and hospitals attach importance to the employment of nursing graduates in higher vocational colleges. Therefore, it is necessary to delve into the career development of nursing graduates in vocational colleges under the current employment situation. This study mainly aimed to investigate the current situation of nursing graduates' career development and factors affecting the career development of nursing graduates. Materials and Methods: The sample was drawn from the 2019 nursing graduates in Weifang Nursing Vocational College using non-random sampling. These nursing graduates participated in the research voluntarily participation and accepted their participation in the research consent form. Data were collected using a questionnaire. The questions focused on many factors that affected their career development, including how hiring practices at government, hospitals, and colleges, factors affecting the recruitment process, and challenges facing career development. Results: The results show that nursing graduates have basic knowledge and skills in nursing. The results also showed that government employment policies, teaching program management, and employability development were the key factors influencing the career development of nursing graduates from higher vocational colleges are relatively successful. Additionally, results indicated that school-based classroom environments have a significant and positive impact on nursing graduates’ career development. The government should increase employment efficiency and change employment policies as necessary to achieve sustainable professional development. Educational institutions and nursing schools should improve their teaching and learning management systems to align with employment policies and needs.   Conclusion: The results emphasize how crucial it is for the government to get involved in employment policy optimization to promote the nursing profession's long-term growth. In addition, educational establishments need to modify their pedagogical approaches to better prepare nursing graduates for the skills required by changing job markets and facilitate a smooth entry into the workforce.