Psychological adjustment and growth of graduate nursing students under the dual stress of research and practicum: a qualitative study

Background: As China's nursing career develops and the demand for nursing positions in hospitals changes, the number of people applying for a master's degree in nursing has been increasing year by year. Objective: To explore the psychological experiences of graduate nursing students under the dual pressures of clinical nursing practice and academic research and the factors that influence them. Method: Fifteen participants were recruited from 11 universities in China between October and December 2024 using a purposive sampling method. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Inductive reflexive thematic analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke's framework. Result: Four themes were identified: negative experiences of dual stress, coping mechanisms for negative experiences, positive effects of dual stress, and the inner need for graduate nursing education. Nursing students improve their general competence through internships and research studies and have a clear understanding of their inner needs and plans. However, students also have adverse psychological experiences at this stage for various reasons. As a result, they use a variety of methods to solve their problems, aiming to face their internships and research work in a better state and complete their graduate studies. Conclusion: Schools and hospitals should pay more attention to the needs of nursing students under dual stress, monitor their emotional state, and provide support in all areas to enhance their coping skills.