Explaining the challenges faced by nursing students in clinical learning environments during the post-COVID era: a qualitative content analysis

Abstract Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated unprecedented disruptions across global healthcare systems, with nursing education being particularly affected. In addition to the challenges encountered during the height of the crisis, the aftermath of the pandemic has continued to impose sign...

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Main Authors: Zeinab Jokar, Mostafa Bijani, Hajar Haghshenas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Research Notes
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07396-9
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author Zeinab Jokar
Mostafa Bijani
Hajar Haghshenas
author_facet Zeinab Jokar
Mostafa Bijani
Hajar Haghshenas
author_sort Zeinab Jokar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated unprecedented disruptions across global healthcare systems, with nursing education being particularly affected. In addition to the challenges encountered during the height of the crisis, the aftermath of the pandemic has continued to impose significant difficulties on nursing students, especially within clinical learning environments. Despite the breadth of emerging literature, a notable gap persists in studies explicitly examining the post-pandemic experiences of nursing students in these settings. Moreover, the present study is a qualitative study with the content analysis in Iran from October 2024 to February 2025. Twenty- two nursing students participated in this study. Data were collected from individual, and semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was conducted using the qualitative content analysis method proposed by Graneheim and Lundman (2004). Results The analysis yielded three overarching themes, each encompassing specific subthemes: (1) lack of clinical competence (insufficient clinical knowledge, deficiency in clinical skills, and poor clinical judgment.) (2), psychological challenges (the quagmire of hopelessness, emotional exhaustion, and lack of self-efficacy) and (3) disruption in professional interactions (lack of mutual respect and absence of a team-oriented spirit). Clinical trial number Not applicable.
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spelling doaj-art-e455ae9cec4c41749ec724ba31e8d8a52025-08-20T03:45:40ZengBMCBMC Research Notes1756-05002025-07-011811710.1186/s13104-025-07396-9Explaining the challenges faced by nursing students in clinical learning environments during the post-COVID era: a qualitative content analysisZeinab Jokar0Mostafa Bijani1Hajar Haghshenas2Department of Operation room, School of Paramedical, Bushehr University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, Fasa University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Nursing, School of Nursing, Gerash University of Medical SciencesAbstract Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated unprecedented disruptions across global healthcare systems, with nursing education being particularly affected. In addition to the challenges encountered during the height of the crisis, the aftermath of the pandemic has continued to impose significant difficulties on nursing students, especially within clinical learning environments. Despite the breadth of emerging literature, a notable gap persists in studies explicitly examining the post-pandemic experiences of nursing students in these settings. Moreover, the present study is a qualitative study with the content analysis in Iran from October 2024 to February 2025. Twenty- two nursing students participated in this study. Data were collected from individual, and semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was conducted using the qualitative content analysis method proposed by Graneheim and Lundman (2004). Results The analysis yielded three overarching themes, each encompassing specific subthemes: (1) lack of clinical competence (insufficient clinical knowledge, deficiency in clinical skills, and poor clinical judgment.) (2), psychological challenges (the quagmire of hopelessness, emotional exhaustion, and lack of self-efficacy) and (3) disruption in professional interactions (lack of mutual respect and absence of a team-oriented spirit). Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07396-9COVID-19Nursing studentsClinical learning environmentsQualitative study
spellingShingle Zeinab Jokar
Mostafa Bijani
Hajar Haghshenas
Explaining the challenges faced by nursing students in clinical learning environments during the post-COVID era: a qualitative content analysis
BMC Research Notes
COVID-19
Nursing students
Clinical learning environments
Qualitative study
title Explaining the challenges faced by nursing students in clinical learning environments during the post-COVID era: a qualitative content analysis
title_full Explaining the challenges faced by nursing students in clinical learning environments during the post-COVID era: a qualitative content analysis
title_fullStr Explaining the challenges faced by nursing students in clinical learning environments during the post-COVID era: a qualitative content analysis
title_full_unstemmed Explaining the challenges faced by nursing students in clinical learning environments during the post-COVID era: a qualitative content analysis
title_short Explaining the challenges faced by nursing students in clinical learning environments during the post-COVID era: a qualitative content analysis
title_sort explaining the challenges faced by nursing students in clinical learning environments during the post covid era a qualitative content analysis
topic COVID-19
Nursing students
Clinical learning environments
Qualitative study
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07396-9
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