Exploring the lived experiences of Syrian refugee nursing students in Jordan

Purpose This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Syrian refugee nursing students in Jordan, with a focus on the social and educational challenges they encounter. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative interpretive hermeneutical phenomenological design was employed. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of 12 undergraduate students enrolled in a bachelor’s nursing program. Findings Three major themes emerged from the study: (1) Social hardships with two subthemes, (a) Financial hardship and (b) Nursing through the lens of Syrian refugees; (2) Educational hardship; (3) Learning to live with hardship with four subthemes: (a) Support system, (b) Positive university atmosphere, (c) Determination of success and (d) Seeking improvement. Originality/value This study provides novel insights into the lived experiences of Syrian refugee nursing students in Jordan. It highlights their resilience despite social and academic challenges and underscores the need for policies and scholarship programs to support refugee students in pursuing their educational goals.