Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42114866›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2026

Clinical practice experiences of nursing students in Türkiye: a qualitative study using reflexive thematic analysis.

Mehmet Emin Atay, Ramazan Deniz, Bahar Çiftçi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Mehmet Emin AtayDepartment of Fundamentals of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mardin Artuklu University, Mardin, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5373-9031
Ramazan DenizDepartment of Fundamentals of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University, Ağrı, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5239-6391
Bahar ÇiftçiDepartment of Fundamentals of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey bahar.ciftci@atauni.edu.tr.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6221-3042

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimThis study aimed to explore, in depth, the challenges nursing students encounter during clinical practice, the emotions they experience and coping strategies they use to manage these challenges.

backgroundClinical practice is a critical component of nursing education, enabling students to integrate theoretical knowledge into practice. However, factors such as limited instructor support, inadequate laboratory preparation and the demands of clinical environments may negatively affect students' learning experiences.

designA qualitative study using reflexive thematic analysis.

methodsThe study was conducted at Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University between April and July 2025. 18 nursing students with clinical practice experience participated in semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis, supported by MAXQDA qualitative data analysis software. Data collection and analysis proceeded iteratively until sufficient depth and richness of data were achieved. Reflexive discussions were conducted throughout the analysis process to enhance analytical rigour.

resultsTwo main themes and five subthemes were identified, including challenges and emotional experiences, causes of difficulties, coping strategies and recommendations. Students reported issues such as insufficient instructor support, large clinical groups, limited psychomotor skills and perceived 'intern bias'. Emotional responses included feelings of inadequacy, low motivation and fear of making mistakes. Coping strategies involved peer support, self-affirmation and seeking guidance from clinical nurses. Participants recommended increasing instructor availability, expanding simulation-based training and strengthening mentoring systems.

conclusionsThe findings suggest that strengthening supportive instructional approaches, structured clinical environments and enhanced simulation opportunities may be important in nursing education. These findings may inform educators and clinical mentors in developing more supportive and effective clinical learning environments.

Indexed as

Clinical CompetenceStudents, NursingAdaptation, PsychologicalAdultCoping SkillsEducation, Nursing, BaccalaureateEmotionsFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleQualitative ResearchTurkeyYoung AdultNursesNursing CareQUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Identifiers

PMID42114866
PMCPMC13182467

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.