https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1700-2160
![Sample our Health and Social Care journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5938/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Health-Social-Care.jpg"})
Abstract
Background
Nursing education programs are designed to decrease the gap between theory and practice. It is believed that internship programs can decrease this gap. An internship program has newly been implemented in Kermanshah Nursing School. However, the efficiency of this program has not been assessed. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the challenges related to the internship education of nursing students.
Methods
The study was conducted as qualitative research. The participants were eight nursing students who had at least one semester of experience in internship. They were selected through purposive sampling. Data gathering was done through semi-structured interviews, which were recorded and analyzed through a three-stage content analysis approach. For data management, MAXQDA-10 was used.
Results
Out of the eight participants, three were male, and all were in the final year of their education. In total, 423 primary codes emerged after analyses, which were placed in seven categories, including: education before internship, lack of support, planning difficulties, interaction with staff, invisible evaluation, welfare defects, and professional identity.
Conclusion
The study revealed the challenges of the internship program for nursing students in Iran. Some of the problems were related to educational background, others were associated with the shortcomings of the cultural aspects of the context. Therefore, it is recommended to optimize the clinical training of nursing students in the internship program by addressing these challenges.
Data Sharing Statement
Data are available by contacting the corresponding author.
Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate
The study is confirmed by the research ethics committee of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences.
Consent for Publication
All the authors and the University consented to publish the study in your journal.
Acknowledgment
This study is based on a research plan approved by the Research and Technology Deputy of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (ID: 96233), and the Research Ethics Committee (ethical code: KUMS.REC.1396.230). We appreciate the nursing students who participated in this study.
Author Contributions
SA, AA, and MR performed the conceptual work and designed the study, SA and AA participated in data collection, and data were analyzed by AA, SA, FR, ARA, and MN. The final report and article were written, read, and approved by all the authors. All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in this work.