ABSTRACT
Motivation is considered as an important factor in students' learning, skills achievement and finally educational achievement. Regarding to this fact and importance of performance in graduated nursing and midwifery students, this study aimed identifying the motivation of nursing and midwifery students toward their field of study selection. This is a descriptive-analytic study, 200 nursing and midwifery students of Mashhad University of medical sciences were selected by classifiedcluster sampling method at random in second semester 87-88. The tools for data collection include: demographic data form and Motivation Questionnaire consist of 10 motivating factors classified in two parts: intrinsic and extrinsic motivating factors by using content validity and Cronbach's Alpha reliability [0/80]. These data were analyzed using descriptive [frequency table, mean and standard deviation] and inferential statistics [t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation]. Based on findings, the total mean scores of motivating factors were 33.46 +/- 6.43 that was in the average level. Intrinsic motivating factors score was higher than extrinsic. t-test showed a significant difference between nursing and midwifery students in some motivating factors such as [social reputation and respect of career] [P<0.001], [family advisability] [P=0.034], [having more welfare benefits] [P=0.037] and [more employment possibility] [P<0.001]. The first 3 factors scores were higher in midwifery students. ANOVA test showed, there was significant difference between students' motivating factors rate with father's educational level [P=0.006] and mother's job [P=0.004]. According to Pearson correlation test, the higher semester [P=0.009] and age [P=0.008], the less intrinsic motivation. According to results, the motivation of students toward field of study selection was in average level and intrinsic motivation decreased during course study. So, it is possible to effective empowering motivation and preventing break down intrinsic motivation during course study, through organizing educational programs for professional identity development and consequently better opportunity for students' performance