Theory and practice gap in teaching nursing students and associated factors at teaching institutions: Mixed study

Susann Walda; Abebe Dechasa; Meseret Robi Tura; Keneni Dina

doi:10.1016/j.jtumed.2026.07.014

August 13, 2026Journal of Taibah University Medical SciencesOpen Access

Theory and practice gap in teaching nursing students and associated factors at teaching institutions: Mixed study

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Key Points

To assess the magnitude of the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice among nursing students and identify associated institutional and educational factors.
Conducted an institutional cross-sectional, sequential explanatory mixed-methods study from June to August 2024 in Oromia, Ethiopia.
Sampled 422 undergraduate nursing students for structured quantitative surveys and 16 nursing educators for in-depth qualitative interviews.
Analyzed quantitative data using binary logistic regression and qualitative data using thematic analysis before integrating findings via triangulation.
A theory-practice gap was reported by 99.1% of nursing students, with an overall mean gap score of 3.6.
Students trained in non-teaching hospitals were significantly more likely to experience a gap compared to those in teaching hospitals (AOR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.43–5.60).
Qualitative interviews identified key drivers including an overemphasis on theoretical lectures, inadequate university-hospital collaboration, poor preceptor communication, and shortages of learning equipment.

Ask about this paper

Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.

Implication

Mixed-methods study reveals a widespread theory-practice gap among nursing students, highlighting the need for stronger clinical partnerships and hospital-based training.

Abstract

No abstract yet. The journal hasn't published one we can show.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Cite This Study

Walda et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a81796af2fb91fc834ac7d9 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2026.07.014

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Theory and practice gap in teaching nursing students and associated factors at teaching institutions: Mixed study

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Theory and practice gap in teaching nursing students and associated factors at teaching institutions: Mixed study

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Keep reading

Keep reading