A Qualitative Study of Operating Room Nurses' Perceptions of Shadowing Education for Nursing Students: Insights from a Single Acute Care Hospital in Japan

Aim Operating room nurses play a critical role in perioperative care and shadowing education, which is essential for nursing students' professional development. However, limited research has examined their perceptions and experiences as educators. This study aimed to analyze the thoughts and perceptions of operating room nurses providing shadowing education to nursing students in a national hospital in Japan. Methods A qualitative content analysis was conducted to explore the perceptions of 10 experienced operating room nurses involved in shadowing education. Semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed to identify recurring themes and patterns. The analysis examined nurses' educational roles, challenges, and strategies for supporting nursing students during practicums. Results The analysis identified Student Guidance as the core category, with three subcategories: Thoughts on Student Guidance , Thoughts on Shadowing , and Intentional Actions Demonstrated by Nurses . Nurses demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering students' learning and well-being, highlighting shadowing as an effective method for bridging theory and practice. Challenges included the mental burden on nurses, the complexity of providing clear guidance in fast-paced environments, and concerns about professional boundaries during shadowing. Conclusions Shadowing education in operating room nursing practicums enhances nursing students' understanding of perioperative nursing and supports their professional development. While shadowing is a valuable educational method, the findings underscore the need for additional support and training for operating room nurses to address the challenges they face. These insights can guide improvements in surgical nursing practicums and educational strategies, contributing to the development of a skilled and confident nursing workforce. Trial registration: Not applicable.