THE THEORY-PRACTICE GAP AMONG NURSING STUDENTS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE NURSING COLLEGES OF SOUTH PUNJAB

Abstract

Background: The theory-practice gap in nursing education refers to the disconnect between classroom knowledge and its application in clinical settings. This gap can undermine nursing students’ competence, confidence, and readiness, potentially affecting patient care quality and safety.

Objective: To assess the extent of the theory-practice gap among Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students in South Punjab and identify contributing factors.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 76 BSN students from nursing institutes using convenience sampling. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire covering demographics and factors influencing the theory-practice gap, including clinical supervision, faculty support, institutional resources, and student motivation. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were analyzed using SPSS.

Results: Most participants (61.8%) strongly agreed that a significant theory-practice gap exists, with 96% acknowledging discrepancies between theoretical instruction and clinical practice. Key contributing factors included inadequate professional clinical instructors (93.4%), weak coordination between academic and clinical faculty (84.2%), limited supervisory support (68.4%), insufficient clinical resources (63-65%), and psychosocial barriers such as low motivation (92.1%) and negative public perception of nursing (75%). Despite access to classroom resources and modern teaching aids, 77.6% reported the curriculum does not meet international standards.

Conclusion: The study confirms a substantial theory-practice gap among nursing students, influenced by faculty limitations, institutional barriers, and student-related factors. Addressing these issues through increased clinical instructor availability, mentorship programs, enhanced simulation-based learning, and curriculum alignment with international standards is essential to improve clinical competence and bridge the gap between theory and practice.