Public perceptions of health professions play a pivotal role in shaping professional identity, performance, and students’ motivation to pursue specific career paths. Nursing and physical therapy, as care-oriented professions, are particularly influenced by cultural values, social recognition, and symbolic status within society. In Saudi Arabia, ongoing healthcare transformation under Vision 2030 has intensified the need to understand how societal views of these professions affect workforce sustainability and educational aspirations.

This study adopts a qualitative conceptual and cultural analytical approach to examine how public perceptions of nursing and physical therapy professions in Saudi Arabia influence professional performance and students’ motivation to enter these fields. Drawing on Social Representations Theory, axiological analysis, and the sociology of professions, the study conceptualizes these professions as culturally constructed social roles whose value is negotiated through collective beliefs, media narratives, and institutional discourse.

The analysis indicates that positive social recognition is associated with stronger professional commitment, improved performance, and increased student motivation, whereas persistent stereotypes and social undervaluation may weaken professional identity and reduce interest among prospective students. The findings highlight that addressing public perceptions is a strategic necessity for healthcare workforce development, rather than a purely social concern.

The study concludes that strengthening the cultural and social value of nursing and physical therapy can contribute to enhanced professional performance and greater student engagement, supporting the long-term goals of healthcare transformation in Saudi Arabia. This cultural perspective offers important insights for healthcare education, policy development, and workforce planning.