Challenges Experienced by Novice Undergraduate Nursing Students in Their Clinical Learning Environment: A Qualitative Study

Background Clinical learning is the core and integral part of nursing education, which transforms a student nurse into a vibrant and competent professional nurse who is capable of rendering comprehensive quality care to the demanding society. Clinical placement is the cornerstone of nursing education. However, for first-year students, transitioning from classroom learning to real clinical environments poses significant challenges. Aim The study aimed to provide an in-depth exploration of the challenges experienced by novice undergraduate nursing students in their clinical learning environment. Methods A hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative research design was employed for the study. Data were collected from 32 first-year undergraduate nursing students through in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). The qualitative data were analysed by thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's six-step method. Results The study findings revealed that novice nursing students experience challenges in their clinical learning environment, which includes emotional struggles in clinical exposure, theory-practice gap, environmental and infrastructural challenges, role ambiguity and lack of confidence, academic pressure and career disappointment, communication and confidence challenges, and workload and physical strain. Conclusion First-year undergraduate nursing students encounter multifaceted challenges that impact their learning and well-being. Structured mentorship, better orientation, and systemic and unwavering support are necessary to enhance positivity in the clinical learning experience of these students.