Saudi female nursing students experiences of sense of belonging in the clinical settings: A qualitative study

Many studies have reported that nursing students’ sense of belonging during their clinical experiences is essential to their motivation to learn. This study was conducted to learn more about the meaning of sense of belonging, the consequences of sense of belonging, and the factors that affect Saudi female nursing students’ sense of belonging in clinical settings. Using interpretive description methodology, the data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 16 students about their sense of belonging in clinical settings. It was conducted in three baccalaureate nursing programs in government institutions in Saudi Arabia. Each interview was audiotaped, transcribed verbatim in Arabic, and translated into English, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results indicated that participation in patient care, a welcoming environment, English language skills, the nationality of nursing staff, and acceptance by nursing staff, patients, and other health care professionals are some of the factors that affect Saudi female nursing students’ sense of belonging in clinical settings. The findings may contribute to the creation and support of more effective clinical learning situations for nursing students in Saudi Arabia, improving the quality of their educational experiences and retaining them in the nursing profession.