Honors College Theses

Publication Date

2026

Major

Nursing (BSN)

Release Option

Open Access

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Wilma C. Matti, PhD, MSN, RN

Abstract

Nursing students obtain valuable experience and are greatly influenced by their clinical experience in nursing school. The continuity and translation of lecture content learned in nursing school to the clinical part of nursing school is known as the theory-practice gap, and it is a vital part of nursing students’ education that is suffering. A perceivable theory-practice gap has a profound effect on students’ readiness for entering the nursing profession. This study examines how the theory-practice gap is understood by Bachelor of Science in Nursing students, and solutions for how it can be remedied. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted to survey nursing students’ perception of the theory-practice gap. It was found that nursing students notice a significant theory-practice gap that affects their learning and the collective healthcare profession. The survey showed there is not just one factor that causes this gap, but that there are numerous factors across the nursing school and the clinical sites causing this pressing issue. All of this pleads that a resolution is reached through means such as the continuity of teachers across nursing education and the outreach of solidified content and concepts.

Thesis Summary

Nursing students have two major componenets of their education, and these are lecture and clinical learning. When these two factors are not aligned properly, it is known as the theory-practice gap. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in order to survey how Bachelor of Science in Nursing students view the theory-practice gap. The study resulted in nursing students experiencing a prominent theory-practice gap that has serious implications for nursing student learning as well as patient care. It was found that many different factors in the nursing school and clinical sites contribute to the theory-practice gap. The continuity between nursing school lecture content and clinical education demands to be solved, and it can be done so through means such as consistent instructors and solidifed content across all learning.

Copyright

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