Experience of Nursing Interns during COVID-19 in Taif University, Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has affected nursing staff and students mentally and physically due to their role in the frontline fighting the virus. However, data on the effect of COVID-19 on nursing students are limited and there have been no studies about Saudi nursing intern experience during this crisis. Aim: To explore the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on nursing students during their interns at hospitals and how they dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was done where 12 interviews were conducted among nursing student at the Nursing Department in the College of Applied Medical Science at Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted from January 01 to April 10, 2021. The descriptive method was used to collect, understand, organise and represent in depth data. All the nursing student participants were interns and started their intern programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic. All interviews were auto-recorded, transcribed and analysed using a thematic method. Results: The four themes which emerged from findings were: student plans during COVID-19; students’ perspectives of the nursing profession; intern students’ mental states; and hospital roles. Conclusion: While the virus may negatively affect the experience of nursing intern students, the support of the media and society towards nursing staff during the pandemic has encouraged them significantly. So this study recommended that nursing stakeholders collaborate with the media to create greater interaction and embrace the nursing profession for younger generations.

Do internship students do well in a clinical environment? A qualitative naturistic study

“…Furthermore, the study found that nursing students lacking preparation and orientation programs had difficulty adjusting to the clinical environment, affecting their overall clinical experience. These findings align with the results of several studies conducted (Alharbi & Alhosis, 2019 ; Alkarani, 2022 ) that investigated the clinical learning experiences of nursing students in Saudi Arabia. Alkarani ( 2022 ) conducted a qualitative study exploring the experience of internship students.…”

“…These findings align with the results of several studies conducted (Alharbi & Alhosis, 2019 ; Alkarani, 2022 ) that investigated the clinical learning experiences of nursing students in Saudi Arabia. Alkarani ( 2022 ) conducted a qualitative study exploring the experience of internship students. The study yielded similar results to the current research, indicating that students felt lost when they lacked communication with others and had ambiguous roles.…”

“…Nursing students face numerous challenges when entering the clinical setting for the first time. The internship year is a practice-based profession, and the practical teaching strategy is clinical nursing education to prepare nurses for their clinical experience (Alkarani, 2022 ; Kaphagawani & Useh, 2013 ).…”

“…A well-designed training program during the internship year can address the nurse shortage. Studies indicate that the nurse turnover rate is critically high in their first years of clinical experience due to a lack of preparation, training, and stress from difficult clinical learning conditions (Alkarani, 2022 ; Kaphagawani & Useh, 2013 ). The quality of learning in a healthcare setting depends on various factors, such as instructors, students, medical staff working in clinics, and the environment.…”

The psychological experience of nursing students in their internship year during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia

“…Nursing internship program in Saudi Arabia is a hospital‐based practice for one‐year permits graduates to demonstrate their abilities in real‐life and under regulated conditions through research and education programs (Alkarani, 2022). Yet, the experience gained from nursing clinical education is different from internship programs.…”