Identifying the factors influencing the quality of education from the perspective of nursing students: A qualitative study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Nursing education in Iran suffers from challenges such as inadequate training time, non-scientific methods, lack of facilities, and so on. Nursing students can better discuss these issues and identify variables affecting their education. Thus, this study sought to uncover factors affecting education quality from nursing students’ perspectives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a qualitative study that was conducted on nursing students in 2022. Purposive sampling chose 20 undergraduate nursing students from Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran. The data was acquired using a semi-structured interview. Content analysis was performed using MAXQDA-10 software to extract relevant themes. RESULTS: The factors derived from content analysis were classified into two internal and external main themes and six sub-themes, including professors, students, the university/education department, hospitals, and the educational system. CONCLUSIONS: Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of trainers and professors in practical programs and teaching new practical teaching methods can effectively enhance the quality of nursing education. Also, giving training and welfare equipment and necessities in educational hospitals and changing the headlines and contents of some nursing courses will improve education quality.