Vocation of service for human care in nursing students from a university in Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

Introduction. A vocation for human care is understood as the ethical and humanistic disposition to serve with professionalism and sensitivity. A lack of vocation affects the quality of care, and few studies in Mexico measure this concept, especially among nursing students.
Objective. To describe the vocation for human care among nursing students at a university in Puebla, in order to generate evidence that strengthens their ethical and professional training.
Methods. Descriptive and cross-sectional design. The population consisted of nursing students from a private university, selected by cluster sampling. The sample included 469 students, who, with informed consent, completed the instrument “Vocation for Human
Care,” composed of three dimensions: a) inclination toward healthcare, b) self-efficacy in healthcare service, and c) axiological component.
Results. First- and fifth-semester students constituted the majority of the group (65.1 %). The classroom-based modality predominated (65.9 %). Regarding the level of vocation, the results indicated that students demonstrate a strong commitment to human care.
Conclusions. Nursing students show a service-oriented vocation, highlighting aspects such as empathy, ethics, and a commitment to improving the health and well-being of individuals. However, a greater focus on developing the capacity for confident education is needed.