A Study of Care Needs and Quality of Life among Nursing Students in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

 This mixed methods study aimed to (1) examine care needs and quality of life among nursing students in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, (2) compare these factors by gender, age, and year of study, (3) investigate their relationship, and (4) analyze qualitative insights regarding students’ care needs. The sample included 213 undergraduate nursing students (years 1–3) from Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, selected via stratified random sampling. Data were collected using demographic, care needs, and quality of life questionnaires, along with open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Mann– Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, and Spearman’s rank correlation. Qualitative data were analyzed via content analysis.
Results showed that overall quality of life was high ( = 3.47), while care needs were low ( = 2.51), covering academic, behavioral, emotional, and environmental aspects. Major concerns included academic workload, stress, and educational expenses. Gender and age did not significantly affect outcomes, but first-year students reported higher quality of life than second- and third-year students. Care needs did not differ significantly between groups and were not correlated with quality of life. Qualitative findings supported the quantitative results.
These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions, including academic support, stress management, and financial assistance, to enhance nursing students’ well-being and overall quality of life.