AIM: The aim of this study was to identify the reasons why students that attending nursing study program decide to choose this study program for their future. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on students at University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi” in Albania and University of Pristina “Hasan Prishtina,” in Kosovo, during October–November 2021. The students that participated attended the bachelor study program in nursing and program of professional master. Data collection was done using a questionnaire with closed and opened questions. Student’s opinions were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire. The survey was administered using the Google Forms® platform, performed in classroom and was anonymous. To analyze the sample, it was used the exact Fisher’s Test, Pearson’s correlation R and ꭓ² test. RESULTS: The study included 376 students which 259 from Albania and 117 from Kosovo. 335 were female and 41 males. 195 of students were from urban area and 181 from rural area. 130 students were at the 1st year of studies, 98 at the 2nd year, 100 of 3rd year, and 48 students attend professional master’s degree. About 66% of students have chosen nursing program because it is easy to find a job and 81.6% of students think that by choosing the nursing study program, they can make a career. About 82.2% of students have chosen the nursing study program because they can ensure a satisfactory economic level. More than 77% of students think that finding a job as a nurse is easy and for 75% of students nursing program has been the first choice. About 88.3% of students say they have chosen to continue their studies in nursing because they believe they can be employed after completing their studies in European Union countries. About 97.1% of students chose this program because they feel valuable in helping people with health needs. In our study, we have evidenced that 58.8% of all students would like to work in Germany. CONCLUSIONS: Students choose the bachelor study program in nursing mainly to be able to easily secure a job, for a career, to help people with health problems and to secure an employment in the countries of the European Union. The same reasons evidenced in two student’s group from two universities.

BACKGROUND: Vaccines are one of the best interventions developed for eradicating COVID-19. In Albania, COVID-19 vaccination uses different types of vaccines: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, CoronaVac, and Sputnik V. Like any other vaccine, these have side effects too. AIM: This study was carried out to identify the perception of the side effects of vaccines. METHODS: A quantitative study using a cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and September 2021 to collect data on the effects of the COVID-19 vaccine among individuals in Shkodra region. Data were collected online through a self-administered survey created on Google Forms which had been randomly delivered to individuals (aged ≥18 years) using social media sites (Email and WhatsApp). All data collected were analyzed with Microsoft Office Excel 2010, using the exact Fisher’s test and ꭓ² test. RESULTS: This study included 292 citizens, out of which 200 were female and 92 were male; 62% were from urban areas and 38% from rural areas of Shkodra region. The random sample of the citizens who took part in this study is 44.5% (18−30 years old). A massive percentage of the participants, 66.4%, had received the second dose of the vaccine. Our study shows that 55.8% of these citizens have had side effects after the first vaccination dose, and only 43.8% have had side effects after the second dose. About 80.6% of the participants were well informed about the type of vaccine they got. CONCLUSIONS: Side effects from vaccines were reported. Injection site pain and fatigue were the most common first dose side effects (55.8%). The same side effects were reported for the second dose. The side effects were presented during the first 12 h after the vaccination in most cases. Side effects were more prevalent in people >50 years old. Older people have a higher probability to have more side effects from the COVID vaccine. There is no statistically significant relationship between gender and the presence of the side effect from the COVID vaccine. People living in urban areas have a higher probability to have side effect from COVID vaccine comparing with people living in rural areas. People being vaccinated with Pfizer vaccine have a higher probability to admit the presence of side effects.