Fatimh Salim Al-kaabi, Sara Tamim Al-Hooti, Nada Osamah Hammadi, Rana Karim Karim, supervisor Dr Jacqueline Maria Dias
The perceptions of nursing students of social accountability in nursing education
Social accountability is vital in nursing, requiring institutions and professionals to address societal health concerns, particularly for vulnerable groups. This qualitative study explored fourth-year nursing students’ perspectives during clinical practice through semi-structured interviews with six participants. Thematic analysis revealed six themes: enablers and barriers, ethical decision-making, accountability as a driver of quality care, clinical training as a foundation, challenges in daily practice, and future advocacy roles. Students highlighted barriers such as time constraints and limited mentorship but also described transformative learning toward advocacy and cultural competence. Findings underscore the need for curriculum reform, faculty development, and experiential learning.
