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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Public Health

A journey mapping study of internship stress among undergraduate nursing interns

  • Yuhang Cheng1
  • Rong Zeng1,2
  • Yi Li3
  • Yan Huang1
  • Huilan Wang1
  • Yuzi Zhao1
  • Wenxiu Jiang2
  • Qian Yang1
  1. 1Chengdu Medical College School of Nursing
  2. 2The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College
  3. 3Sichuan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Abstract

Aim: To explore the dynamic process of stress experienced by undergraduate nursing interns during clinical internships and to construct a journey map of internship stress in order to identify stage-specific stressors, emotional experiences, and pain points.

Methods: Using purposive sampling, 19 undergraduate nursing interns were recruited from five tertiary hospitals in Sichuan Province between May 2025 and March 2026. Data were collected at different stages of the internship through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed for coding, and journey mapping was applied to integrate and visually represent the trajectory of stress over time.

Results: Internship-related stress among undergraduate nursing interns evolved across four periods: Preparation Period; Shock Period; Adaptation Period; Differentiation Period. A total of 36 themes were identified across three overarching dimensions—tasks, emotional experiences, and pain points—systematically illustrating the trajectory of stress evolution.

Conclusion: Stress among undergraduate nursing interns demonstrates a stage-based and dynamic trajectory, with distinct pain points and corresponding support needs at each stage. These findings provide empirical evidence for nursing educators and clinical managers to develop stage-specific, targeted interventions and to optimize internship support systems.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{cheng2026journey,
  title = {{A journey mapping study of internship stress among undergraduate nursing interns}},
  author = {Yuhang Cheng and Rong Zeng and Yi Li and Yan Huang and Huilan Wang and Yuzi Zhao and Wenxiu Jiang and Qian Yang},
  journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1958747},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1958747/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - A journey mapping study of internship stress among undergraduate nursing interns
AU  - Yuhang Cheng
AU  - Rong Zeng
AU  - Yi Li
AU  - Yan Huang
AU  - Huilan Wang
AU  - Yuzi Zhao
AU  - Wenxiu Jiang
AU  - Qian Yang
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/28
JO  - Frontiers in Public Health
DO  - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1958747
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1958747/full
AB  - Aim: To explore the dynamic process of stress experienced by undergraduate nursing interns during clinical internships and to construct a journey map of internship stress in order to identify stage-specific stressors, emotional experiences, and pain points.  Methods: Using purposive sampling, 19 undergraduate nursing interns were recruited from five tertiary hospitals in Sichuan Province between May 2025 and March 2026. Data were collected at different stages of the internship through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed for coding, and journey mapping was applied to integrate and visually represent the trajectory of stress over time.  Results: Internship-related stress among undergraduate nursing interns evolved across four periods: Preparation Period; Shock Period; Adaptation Period; Differentiation Period. A total of 36 themes were identified across three overarching dimensions—tasks, emotional experiences, and pain points—systematically illustrating the trajectory of stress evolution.  Conclusion: Stress among undergraduate nursing interns demonstrates a stage-based and dynamic trajectory, with distinct pain points and corresponding support needs at each stage. These findings provide empirical evidence for nursing educators and clinical managers to develop stage-specific, targeted interventions and to optimize internship support systems.
SN  - 2296-2565
ER  -