The Perception of Career Planning and Development Among Senior Clinical Nurses: A Qualitative Analysis

ABSTRACT Aim To investigate the perception of career planning and development among senior clinical nurses and identify factors that facilitate or hinder their career development in a tertiary hospital setting in China. Background Career planning and development are important aspects of contemporary nursing roles. However, there is limited literature that comprehensively explores the challenges and motivations nurses encounter in their career development through self‐reported career planning. As career paths for nurses continue to diversify, it remains unclear whether nurses can adapt their career plans effectively to achieve greater job satisfaction and support their individual career growth. Methods The study was conducted in October 2023 in a tertiary hospital in China. Fifty‐three senior clinical nurses were recruited using purposive sampling. Participants were asked to indicate their perceptions of career planning and development, including their career preferences, self‐assessed strengths and weaknesses, and perceived facilitators and barriers. They were invited to indicate their future career preferences across four domains: clinical practice, education, management, and research. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the qualitative data. Additionally, participants were instructed to develop personal career development road maps using a provided framework. Results Most participants (94.34%, n = 50) favored career development in clinical practice, aspiring to roles such as advanced practice nurse (APN) or specialist nurse, while fewer preferred education (37.74%, n = 20), research (22.64%, n = 12), or management (18.87%, n = 10). Four key themes emerged: (1) Helping others through a good job, reflecting a desire to help others through meaningful work; (2) Multifaceted drive for self‐improvement, influenced by personal growth, economic incentives, and professional recognition; (3) Insufficient sense of autonomy, with restricted decision‐making power acting as a barrier; and (4) Challenges in time planning and allocation, highlighting difficulties in balancing work, life, and career goals. Conclusion This study explores the career development of senior clinical nurses, highlighting their strong preference for clinical pathways such as APN and specialist nursing. Facilitators include economic incentives, moral values, family support, and organizational culture, while barriers encompass lack of autonomy, skill gaps, time constraints, and work–life conflicts. Implications for nursing policy Strengthening team support, streamlining non‐direct care tasks, and safeguarding personal time are essential for fostering senior clinical nurses’ career development. Policymakers should implement clear advanced practice nursing frameworks, standardize credentialing processes, and allocate adequate resources to make clinical pathways both appealing and accessible. By addressing these factors, nurses can more effectively pursue advanced roles, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and the broader healthcare system.