Experiences and witnessing of nursing students about respectful maternity care from Turkey: a qualitative study

Background: This study was conducted to explore the experiences and views of nursing students on respectful maternity care in their professional practice. Methods: This study employed an exploratory, descriptive qualitative design using an interpretive approach. The study was conducted with 15, third-year nursing students between March and April 2023. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with students who met the research criteria and were selected using the purposeful sampling method. Data analysis was performed using thematic analysis methods. Results: The results indicated three main themes and related sub-themes, which included: i) barriers to respectful maternity care, ii) suggestions for respectful maternity care , iii) reflections of respectful maternity care. Conclusion: Due to reasons such as the changing institution policies during clinical practice, care philosophies, and individual differences, the students were found to experience and witness both disrespectful care and supportive care. Besides, the importance of organizing the work environments, increasing institution-hospital cooperation, having experienced and competent personnel, and transferring evidence-based knowledge into practice has been emphasized to enhance respectful maternity care.