Clinical Learning Experiences of Nursing Students at Medical Teaching Institute, Mardan College of Nursing and Mardan Medical Complex: A Qualitative Study in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Clinical and practical learning is an important element of teaching in the profession of nursing, as it allows for the transformation of classroom theory into practical clinical situations. This integration of theory into practice could be affected by many challenges in the clinical learning environment that students encounter. Students’ perceptions regarding difficulties faced in the clinical setting could be of help in assessing and addressing these challenges. Objectives: To explore the nursing students’ opinions on their clinical learning experiences. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study design using a phenomenological approach was used to explore the opinions of the students of bachelor nursing program on their clinical learning experiences. Thematic analysis was done. The sample included three males and three female students. Results: Five themes emerged from the data, which included: anxiety towards clinical learning environment, barriers to clinical learning, inappropriate teaching practices and learning context, ineffective coordination in the learning environment, and inefficient clinical faculty and preceptor role. Conclusions: The study results indicated nursing students’ overall dissatisfaction with their clinical learning experiences. The findings advocated for bringing improvement in the clinical learning environment and correcting the highlighted deficiencies in the best possible way. The nursing faculty, clinical staff, and administration should play their role in this regard.