Satisfaction with academic supervision among nursing postgraduate students in China: a national multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: High-quality academic supervision is essential to postgraduate nursing education, yet student-reported evidence on supervision quality remains limited, particularly across multiple institutions. This study examined the level of satisfaction with academic supervision among nursing postgraduate students in China and explored factors associated with higher satisfaction. METHODS: A national multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted among nursing postgraduate students from 30 universities in China between 2 April and 30 April 2024. Participants completed an anonymous online questionnaire assessing student and supervisor characteristics, team/mentorship structure, academic communication patterns, supervisor-student relationship classification, and learning motivation. Overall satisfaction with academic supervision was measured using a single-item 4-point ordinal scale. Ordinal logistic regression within the generalized linear model framework was used to identify factors associated with satisfaction with academic supervision. RESULTS: Nursing postgraduate students generally reported high levels of satisfaction with academic supervision. Higher satisfaction was associated with challenge-oriented learning motivation, pursuit of money or other tangible incentives, positive team atmosphere and support from senior members, regular group meetings and knowledge sharing, guidance from multiple mentors, and "good teacher/helpful friend" and "task-oriented" supervisor-student relationships. CONCLUSION: Nursing postgraduate students generally reported high levels of satisfaction with academic supervision. Strengthening supervision structures and fostering supportive academic environments may further enhance academic supervision experiences in nursing postgraduate education.