Nursing Internship Supervision in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study Interpreted Through Self-Determination Theory

IntroductionMost studies of nursing interns in Saudi Arabia have focused on students' perspectives, often neglecting the experiences of supervisors, who play a critical role in guiding and supporting interns. To address this gap, the present study explored the motivations, challenges, and strategies related to nursing student supervision in hospital settings.MethodsThis qualitative descriptive study utilized in-depth, semi-structured interviews with ten supervisors working in Taif Health Cluster hospitals in Saudi Arabia to explore the experiences of nursing student supervisors during internships. Thematic analysis was employed to identify core themes and insights.ResultsThree overarching themes were identified: motivations for supervisory roles, factors influencing performance, and strategies to improve supervisory quality. Through the lens of self-determination theory, these findings suggest that supporting supervisors' autonomy, competence, and relatedness can strengthen motivation and improve the quality of internship supervision.ConclusionStrengthening university-hospital collaboration, revising training plans, and ensuring sufficient facilities and incentives are critical to sustaining supervisors' motivation and effectiveness. Addressing these challenges can enhance supervision quality and prepare competent, confident, and committed nursing graduates.