The motivation of medical workers is related to the quality of health care provision and institutional development. In this context of quality improvement definitely stand out the possibilities and interest of nurses in order to continue professional development and the development of professional competences at higher education institutions. The need for an educated medical staff is derived from the accepted norms and standards of healthcare, but also from the complex needs of patients who are treated in hospital departments. The working conditions and structure of work organizations greatly contribute to the sense of employee satisfaction and their work motivation. However, various studies have confirmed that material conditions and financial benefits are the most common cause of dissatisfaction among medical workers, but they are also not the strongest motivational factors. This paper was written in the conducted research after a substantive literature survey and a short questionnaire on some motivational factors, on a sample of 100 (100%) nursing students and nurses at the completion of higher education, for work at psychiatric departments. The results show the the highest percentage of participants who would not choose to work in psychiatric departments – 47 persons (47%). A significant number of participants estimate that psychiatric departments are dangerous places for work. Twenty-eight persons (28%) fully agree with the statement, 21 people (21%) mostly agree, 35 persons (35%) moderately agree, 14 persons (14%) mostly disagree and 2 persons (2%) completely disagree with the statement. Equally, 25 persons (40,4%) of 65 participants point out that they would not work at psychiatric departments because of fear. The professional competencies of healthcare workers are indisputably an indicator of the quality of the professional team, and the complexity of the activities of nurses requires a wide range of general health and specific knowledge. Thirty-two participants (32%) in this study also believe that after completing nursing studies, they do not have enough competencies to work in the psychiatric department and they need additional training. Although the results cannot be generalized to the population of highly educated nurses because of the sample size and the data processing methods, given results induce attention on the organization of medical studies and nursing education but also on the existence of prejudices against psychiatric patients and departments. Out of the processed results, 82 persons (82%) have a positive opinion and 18 persons (18%) have a negative opinion about the workers in the psychiatric department.