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Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2026, vol. 32, issue3
Subject Area: Medicine
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DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2026323.7056
Published online: 25 August 2026
Original article
J of IMAB. 2026 Jul-Sep;32(3):7056-7061
RESEARCH ON THE READINESS AND MOTIVATION OF NURSING STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER INITIATIVES
Snezhanka Dragusheva
, Mariya Stamova-Georgieva, Lilia Georgieva, Nedyalka Boycheva,
Department of Nursing Care, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
Over the last century, the nursing profession has undergone a dramatic development – from a volunteer, through a doctor's assistant, to a nurse with an independent role. Their participation in voluntary initiatives is essential for addressing challenges faced by many countries.
The purpose of this study is to analyze the motivation and willingness of nursing students to participate in volunteer initiatives abroad.
Material and methods: The study included 194 (96.5%) women and 7 (3.5%) men. The structural distribution of the 201 participants in the study from different Universities teaching "Nursing care". The results were processed with the statistical package SPSS. 21. A significant difference was considered p <0,05.
Results: The students' responses regarding their willingness to participate in volunteer missions abroad are presented, grouped by university. The results show that students at a younger age make emotional decisions. This study emphasizes the importance of age and life circumstances in the formation of individual preferences and decisions related to volunteering.
Conclusion: The results show that the main reason for participation in international missions is the humane nature of the profession, which testifies to the high level of professional ethics and humanitarian values built during their studies.
Keywords: student nurses, volunteering, international initiatives, motivation,
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Please cite this article as: Dragusheva S, Stamova-Georgieva M, Georgieva L, Boycheva N. Research on the readiness and motivation of nursing students to participate in international volunteer initiatives. J of IMAB. 2026 Jul-Sep;32(3):7056-7061. [Crossref - 10.5272/jimab.2026323.7056]
Correspondence to: Snezhanka Dragusheva, Department of Nursing Care, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv; 15A, Vasil Aprilov Blvd., 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria. E-mail: Snezhanka.Dragusheva@mu-plovdiv.bg
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Received: 06 April 2026
Published online: 25 August 2026