As the healthcare sector increasingly seeks nursing professionals with advanced education and specialized expertise, nursing undergraduates are becoming more inclined to pursue postgraduate studies. This trend highlights the need for a comprehensive examination of the barriers and facilitators that influence their motivation to take postgraduate entrance examinations. Gaining such insights can help shape more effective policies and student support systems. The objective of this study is to investigate the factors—both hindering and supportive—that impact the motivation of nursing undergraduates regarding postgraduate entrance exams. Between October and December 2023, data were gathered through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 15 nursing undergraduates at Nantong University. The collected data were examined using thematic analysis to extract core themes. The study identified four primary barriers: the burden of academic workload combined with internship fatigue, self-doubt and anxiety about failing, concerns about job prospects, and insufficient access to relevant information and resources. On the other hand, four major facilitators emerged: the ambition to enhance academic qualifications and professional competencies, career advancement and role transition goals, the intention to delay employment through further study, and the encouraging influence of role models and social support systems. These results may provide nursing undergraduates with better strategies for preparing for postgraduate entrance exams and advancing their academic and career goals. The study emphasizes the importance of reducing the identified obstacles while amplifying supportive elements to foster the all-around development of nursing students.
