Background/Aim. Clinical learning is a main part of nursing education. Students' exposure to clinical learning environment is one of the most important factors affecting the teaching-learning process in clinical settings. Identifying challenges of nursing students in the clinical learning environment could improve training and enhance the quality of its planning and promotion of the students. We aimed to explore Iranian nursing students' challenges in the clinical learning environment. Materials and Methods. This is a qualitative study using the content analysis approach. The participants consisted of seventeen nursing students and three nursing instructors. The participants were selected through purposive sampling method and attended semistructured interviews and focus groups. Results. Three themes emerged after data analysis, including ineffective communications, inadequate readiness, and emotional reactions. Conclusion. Nursing students in Iran are faced with many challenges in the clinical learning environment. All challenges identified in this study affected the students' learning in clinical setting. Therefore, we recommend that the instructors prepare students with a specific focus on their communication and psychological needs.

IntroductionOn entry into the clinical environment, nursing students are confronted with many challenges. It is a common problem throughout the world, including Iran. Although many studies have been conducted on the problems of nursing students in the clinical environment, limited information is available on nursing students’ experiences of the clinical learning environment and the way they respond to these experiences. Identifying nursing students’ experiences is essential to develop interventions to reduce challenges.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore nursing students’ experiences in a clinical learning environment and the way they responded to these experiences.DesignThe present study was conducted based on the qualitative research design of the grounded theory methodology.SettingThis study was conducted at schools of nursing in academic settings in Iran.ParticipantsThe participants included 19 nursing students, 4 nursing instructors and 3 clinical nurses.MethodsThe data were collected using semistructured interviews, field notes and observation, and were analysed using Strauss and Corbin’s approach.ResultsStudents, as a result of the inadequacy of the educational environment, were faced with ‘confusion of identity’, stating this as their main concern. When confronted with this concern, they employed specific strategies, some of which prevented them from getting into unpleasant conditions. These strategies did not help students solve their problems and also prevented them from accepting their professional roles and responsibilities. Conversely, some other strategies led them to advanced professional development and enabled them to accept their role and the clinical environment.ConclusionAccording to the results of this study, educational policymakers should focus on improving the clinical environment. Identifying professional models and increasing their influence on management, education and clinical education, as well as teaching positive and constructive strategies, will promote positive strategies in coping with inadequate educational contexts. This is necessary for the professional development of nursing students.

Study findings provide a complete picture of patient education and challenge managers to develop new strategies to plan and implement appropriate changes.

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Objective. To comprehend the experiences of nursing students in clinical education. Methods. A qualitative study using conventional content analysis was conducted. Data were collected using focus group interview with 16 nursing students from two public nursing schools of Shiraz and Fasa, Iran. The participants were selected by purposeful sampling. Data analysis accomplished according to conventional content analysis. Results. From this study five categories were emerged: Theory and practice disruption (The inability to use the lessons learned in practice, Routine-oriented work, The difference between theoretical knowledge and clinical training), Shaky communications (Inappropriate behavior, Inadequate support of nurses, instructors and other caregivers), Inadequate planning (Wasting time for students in clinical training, Inadequate preparation of instructors and students), Perceived tension (Stress, Anxiety and Fear), Personal and professional development (Learning more steadily, Paying attention to