Readiness for Practice and Associated Factors Among Baccalaureate Nursing Students in Mongolia: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Readiness for practice is an essential outcome of nursing education, yet the factors influencing it among baccalaureate nursing students in Mongolia remain underexplored. This study aimed to provide a holistic understanding of factors influencing readiness for practice among baccalaureate nursing students in Mongolia, employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design was used. The study included 150 final-year baccalaureate nursing students from 14 Mongolian universities. Quantitative data were collected via survey and analyzed using multiple regression analyses in SPSS 26.0. Concurrently, qualitative data were obtained through focus group interviews with 25 participants (nurses and faculty) and analyzed using content analysis. Results: Quantitative analyses revealed that the clinical learning environment, clinical competence, and critical thinking significantly influenced readiness for practice, explaining 40% of the variance. Qualitative findings-derived from nurses' and faculty's perspectives and findings-provided deeper insights: "maturity" was defined as students' coping ability and adaptability; "competence" encompassed clinical, ethical, cultural, and communication skills; and "professional values" reflected passion, motivation, and readiness to engage in practice. These findings highlighted the essential interplay between personal, educational, and contextual factors in shaping readiness. Conclusions: Findings suggest strategies to enhance nursing students' readiness, including fostering supportive clinical learning environments, structured mentorship, and integrating ethical and cultural training into curricula. These insights offer actionable recommendations for nursing schools and clinical institutions to strengthen collaboration, support professional development, and prepare competent, adaptable, and ethically grounded nursing graduates in Mongolia.