Exploring the perceptions of nursing internship students and their faculty mentors regarding the complexities and hindrances associated with implementing the nursing process within the clinical setting: An in-depth qualitative investigation

Background: Utilizing the nursing process within clinical settings serves to enhance the scientific stature of the nursing field. Nonetheless, various research findings suggest that nursing internship students encounter difficulties when it comes to implementing the nursing process and may lack the necessary proficiency. Objectives: The aim of this investigation is to identify the perceptions of nursing internship students and their faculty mentors regarding the complexities and hindrances associated with implementing the nursing process within the clinical setting. Design: A qualitative content analysis. Participants: Nursing internship students and their faculty mentors from the Isfahan School of Nursing and Midwifery. Methods: In this study, individual interviews were conducted with 13 participants. The data for this study were gathered through these semi-structured interviews and subsequently analyzed using the Granheim and Lundman method. To ensure the validity and reliability of the data, the evaluative criteria of Lincoln and Guba were employed. Results: The obstacles unveiled in this study can be categorized into three primary domains, each with its own subcategories: 1-Student role ambiguity (1-1 Lack of practical autonomy; 1-2 Insufficient proficiency in the nursing process; 1-3 Motivational deficiency). 2- Organizational Challenges (2-1 Shortage of nursing staff; 2-2 Suboptimal interpersonal dynamics); And 3Gradual Erosion of the Nursing Process. Conclusion: Recognizing the paramount importance of the nursing process in enhancing patient care quality is universally accepted. Therefore, it is imperative to systematically identify and tackle the challenges associated with its application. This study highlights that these challenges stem from various factors, including the multifaceted roles assumed by nursing students, organizational shortcomings within healthcare institutions, and the neglect or erosion of the nursing process in specific clinical settings. Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring the effective utilization of the nursing process within the nursing profession and for optimizing patient care outcomes.