Table 3.

Emerged themes and categories from qualitative data analysis.

Themes (7)	Subthemes/factors (32)	Sample quotations for each factor
Theme I. Personal experience of the CGCP	Impressive and valuable personal experience Personal reflection on own experience	“My experience with the program was very valuable. I gained a lot of knowledge that prepare me for my future career. The program is very effective in helping me understand the next steps in my life and how I can make my internship year a good experience.” “I found the experience to be wonderful and effective. The attendance of the career program motivated me to strive for success, reflect on my experience, and share it with peers. It was a great experience and a privilege to attend such a meeting for our beloved seniors and pass down the information to future generations.”
Theme II. Importance of the CGCP	Career exploration and management Self-efficacy and confidence Career choice and certainty Self-awareness Career readiness Job market orientation Awareness of soft and hard skills Career and scholarship opportunities Sound career choice and realistic career goals. Smooth transition from education to employment.	“The career guidance program really opened my eyes and explore various career paths I had not considered before, and it helped me manage my career planning more effectively.” “Participating in these sessions has greatly boosted my confidence and self-awareness, while also reducing my anxiety and uncertainty about the future” “The career guidance program has been instrumental in helping me to choose the right career path and make a well-informed career choice.” “The sessions have allowed me to gain a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses, enabling me to make better decisions about my future.” “The program taught me how to create a strong resume and prepare for interviews, which makes me feel more ready to start my career.” “I was unsure about which area of nursing to specialize in, but through the sessions, I am oriented about different specialties and market and how to align them with my personal interests and strengths.” “Through the program, I have been able to develop necessary soft and hard skills and competencies required in the professional world. Also, the guidance program has offered me insights into further education, scholarship and training opportunities, both for self-development and professional growth.” “Of course I found this program important, and it provided me with valuable information about job prospects in different fields and has assisted me in setting realistic career goals.” “I now feel more prepared for the job market and have the necessary tools to smoothly transition from education to employment.”
Theme III. Effectiveness of the CGCP	Very effective with positive impact on career readiness and job market	“I found the program as 100% effective because it provides opportunities for networking and connecting with professionals in various fields, which can be very beneficial for career readiness and development among students.” “Overall, I believe that the program has a strong impact on helping students identify their career choices, set realistic goals and enhance their chances.”
Theme IV. Benefits of the CGCP	Career transition Career path Knowledge of the labor market requirements Comprehensive knowledge of career exploration and career planning	“The benefits of the received sessions are numerous, opening my eyes to a world of opportunities and advantages I never knew existed. They prepared me for the transition into my desired role and has given me confidence in my career choices.” “I never realized how important career guidance and counseling could be until I participated in the program. Now I know the different options for my career academic or clinical.” “The program taught me how to keep up with the constantly changing job market and gave me insight into what employers are looking for. This knowledge has been invaluable in helping me strategize my career path.” “Participating in the program allowed me to understand the needs of the labor market and work on developing myself to meet those needs. The program team was knowledgeable, and I gained valuable experience from them.” “I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the best hospitals and their advantages and disadvantages through the career guidance program. It’s important to know the industry you are entering, and this program provided me with that knowledge and allow me to start planning my career.”
Theme V. Strengths of the CGCP	Well-organized program Variety of topics covered Quality of content and speakers’ approach Discovery of new knowledge Interaction among participants and speakers Interactive games (game-based-learning) The online provision of the program	“I honestly could not find any weaknesses in the program. It was well-organized, and the speakers were helpful. I was satisfied with their assistance.” “The variety of topics covered in the program was fantastic. It gave me a well-rounded skill set in career guidance and counseling.” “I was really impressed by many sessions, such as the one on preparing for the Saudi licensure exam. It provided me with useful information and resources, which I believe will improve my chances of success.” “The content of the program and the quality of the sessions were excellent. It covered important and relevant topics in our field of work and help me to discover new knowledge.” “The speakers were really knowledgeable and provided great insights and guidance. I learned a lot from them and appreciate their approach in presenting the information and interacting with audience.” “This program exposed me to new knowledge that I wasn’t aware of before. It broadened my understanding of my career.” “I enjoyed the opportunity to interact with both the presenters and attendees. It fostered a lively and interesting environment.” “I believe that the inclusion of interactive games like Kahoot, MentiMeter, and Wordwall adds strengths to this program. Learning through fun and activities not only enhances participation, but also deepens our understanding and retention of key concepts.” “I value the option of providing this program through online sessions. My internship’s schedule program challenged me to attend physically, so being able to engage virtually assures that I can still benefit from the valuable content and discussions offered.”
Theme VI. Weaknesses of the CGCP	The timing of the sessions The tight academic and clinical schedule Convenience to all students	“I often had to choose between attending lectures and sessions. It was disappointing because I wanted to benefit from both, but the timing just did not work out with me.” “Managing my internship and attending counseling sessions was quite challenging. The schedule was so tight that sometimes I had to miss out on valuable guidance.” “I felt like the timing of the sessions was more aimed towards the senior students. I hoped for more flexibility so that everyone could participate.”
Theme VII. Recommendations for Enhancing the CGCP	Flexible timing of the sessions Periodical provision of the program Adding more valuable speaker and sessions Learning need assessment of students. Feedback and improvement	“I think that you should consider the timing of the sessions to ensure it is convenient for students and maximizes attendance.” “I think it would be helpful to schedule the career guidance and counseling sessions after lecture time so that more students can attend.” “It is important to continuously promote the program and encourage students to attend, so they can benefit from the career guidance and counseling.” “We acknowledge all the information presented in the sessions as valuable and beneficial to students. Adding more speakers and training sessions in the next cycle will be another strength.” “To cater to the diverse needs of students, you should offer more sessions covering different topics and areas of interest.” “Taking feedback from students and asking about the specific topics they need guidance on will help tailor the sessions to their needs.”