Professional partnership: nurse's experience of theory- practice gap in nursing education

Examining the gap between theoretical and practical training can be effective in professional development and can be changed. The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of nursing teachers about the issue of gap between theory and practice in nursing education. This qualitative study was carried out on 32 nursing teachers and managers at Nursing and Midwifery Faculties of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Esfahan University of Medical Sciences. Data collection conducted using semi-structured interview and after signing the informed consent by the participants. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. Then, collected data were analyzed through conventional content analysis. In order to assess the validity of data collection, different criteria such as acceptability and verifiability were used. Main themes of the research include education engineering, meritocratic and professional partnership. Experience and understanding of the participants showed that their professional practice and educational activities are in compliance with the core planning. Therefore, content of education and clinical credibility and competency should be standardized through acquired efficient partnership. This will reduce the gap between education and training. The results of this study provides knowledge and insight in educators and managers, so that that they would be able to confront and resolve the gap between theory and clinical training. Results of this study revealed that experiences of participants can identify factors affecting the challenge and provide improved status appropriate for enhanced competence and capabilities of nursing student.