One of the sectors most profoundly affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic was education, with students requiring clinical skills training experiencing particularly significant disruptions. This study aimed to explore the COVID‐19–related ruminations of senior nursing students who encountered the full range of educational challenges brought about by the pandemic. Using an exploratory qualitative design, the study was conducted online with 20 senior nursing students. Two main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) cognitions about qualifications and (2) questioning the profession. Students expressed ruminative thoughts regarding their perceived competence, largely stemming from receiving online education without adequate clinical practice. Additionally, witnessing nurses working under highly demanding conditions led many to question aspects of the profession. Despite uncertainties about translating theoretical knowledge into practice, participants emphasized a strong desire to join the workforce and support nurses during this critical period. These findings offer valuable insights into the experiences of senior nursing students who were required to graduate with limited clinical exposure due to the pandemic.
Üzar‐Özçetin et al. (Thu,) studied this question.