Exploring the Nursing Students' Experiences of the Hidden Curriculums on Learning Process: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: The hidden curriculum consists of the implicit messages of the social atmosphere of the educational centers that are not written but are felt by everyone. Due to the direct relationship between the hidden curriculum with student learning and the need for nursing faculty members, this study was conducted to exploring the nursing Students' Experiences of the Hidden Curriculums on learning process. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted through content analysis method in Zanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2019. Purposeful sampling consisted of 19 Third and higher semester and of both sexes. Data was collected through semi-structured and in-depth interviews. Data analysis was performed manually. Result: A total of 84 initial codes were obtained, after which, merging similar codes, finally 44 codes were extracted in 9 sub-themes and 3 main themes including interactions, individual factors and the quality of the educational environment. Conclusion: According to students' experiences of the impact of the hidden curriculum on the learning process, in order to promote student learning, the elements of the hidden curriculum should be considered in educational planning.