Promoting generalisation in qualitative nursing research using the multiple case narrative approach: a methodological overview.

Background: The ability to generalise research generated findings to different contexts is a significant, yet overlooked, feature in qualitative studies conducted in nursing, where evidence-based clinical practice is highly regarded. The multiple case narrative is a constructivist-narrative approach, claimed to not only have the potential for analytical and case-to-case generalisation but also sample-to-population generalisation. Methods: This paper provides an overview of multiple case narrative by comparing it with similar methodologies, reviewing studies that have used this approach and critically evaluating its capacity for producing generalisable results. Results: The multiple case narrative approach addresses limitations of collective case study, case survey and meta-ethnography by employing greater sample sizes and more generalisable results. Most studies previously using this approach have been performed in the education field and with the purpose of overcoming sample size limitations in qualitative research. The approach offers a uniquely systematic approach to analysis by finding associations between categories generated from collective analysis of large number of cases and providing the potential for sample to population generalisation. Conclusion: Multiple case narrative, which to date has been underutilised, is a systematic approach with characteristics that make it an efficient research technique to provide valid qualitative evidence.

Postgraduate nurse education in Indonesia and Australia: A comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Indonesia and Australia are neighbouring countries; however, their nursing systems are very different and there is limited migration between countries. AIM: As part of a larger study, the aim was to undertake a comparative analysis of postgraduate nurse education in Indonesia and Australia. DESIGN: Detailed literature review across academic and grey literature and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in Indonesia (n = 52) and Australia (n = 13) representing education, governments, professional nursing organisations, and rural, remote and urban health care providers. FINDINGS: Three key categories of comparison were identified: Higher Education System, Education Offerings, and Specialist practice and education standards. Regulation of higher education was found to generally be comparable. Postgraduate nursing specialisations are available in both countries, but there are currently more offerings in Australia. Furthermore, nurse practitioner education and graduate entry pathways into nursing are only currently available in Australia. Journal publications are required for graduation from masters and doctoral programmes in Indonesia, but not Australia. CONCLUSIONS: While there are many areas of similarity, postgraduate nurse education is more diverse in Australia, while there are growing opportunities for new developments in Indonesia. This analysis identifies areas for future consideration around postgraduate education development in both countries, along with possibilities for future collaboration. Furthermore, comparative analysis provided a useful foundation on mapping key elements.

Investigating avian competition for surface water in an arid zone bioregion.

Interference competition has the potential to alter avian assemblages at long-lasting arid zone waterholes, particularly in a warming world, as more potentially aggressive species frequent these sites to drink. We used camera traps and observational surveys to investigate interference competition between terrestrial avian species at six long-lasting waterholes across three sampling seasons (two summers and one winter) within the MacDonnell Ranges Bioregion in central Australia. The proportion of individuals drinking for each of four dietary classes (granivores, nectarivores, omnivores, and insectivores) was modelled in relation to their abundance in the immediate waterhole habitat, which informed the potential for competition in each season. We then used the temporal overlap estimators to quantify the degree of competition between species at waterholes with species grouped into families (Meliphagidae, Ptilonorhynchidae, Estrildidae, and Rhipiduridae). We found the proportion of individuals drinking at waterholes was greatest during hot and dry periods, suggesting the potential for interference competition is greatest during these times. This was particularly the case for nectarivores where, in hot and dry conditions, the proportion of drinking individuals increased significantly as their abundance also increased in the waterhole habitat. We predicted that subordinate species would alter their activity periods to avoid competitive interactions with meliphagids (honeyeaters), however, we found there was a high degree of temporal overlap between all families sampled across all seasons. These results suggest subordinate species are unlikely to be excluded from long-lasting waterholes by potentially aggressive species, such as honeyeaters. However, some species may face trade-offs between foraging and accessing waterholes to stay hydrated as they shift their activity to avoid the hottest parts of the day during the summer months. Under global warming, extended hot and dry periods will likely create conditions where balancing energy and hydration requirements becomes increasingly difficult and results in the loss of body condition.

Experiences of nurses and midwives with disabilities: A scoping review.

AIM: To identify the extent and type of evidence exploring the workplace experiences of nurses and midwives with disabilities. DESIGN: Scoping Review. DATA SOURCES: Four electronic databases were systematically searched in February 2022 to identify studies discussing the experiences of nurses and midwives with disabilities, published between 2012 and 2022. Google Scholar and Theses Global were also searched. REVIEW METHODS: All search results, irrespective of their format, were uploaded to Covidence to assist with the selection of evidence. Studies discussing the experiences of nurses and midwives with disabilities were included. Two reviewers conducted screening and data extraction independently, and a third reviewer resolved conflicts. RESULTS: Searches identified 130 studies. After screening for title and abstract, full-text review identified 23 studies for data extraction and analysis. Data were summarized and presented in tabular form under two categories (1) workplace experiences and (2) impact in the workplace. Results were presented in a descriptive, narrative form with accompanying tables. CONCLUSION: The nurse or midwife can be impacted significantly by disability. Currently, little is known about the workplace experiences of nurses and midwives with disabilities. Therefore, a better understanding of the experiences of the nurse and midwives with disabilities is important to increase diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. IMPACT: Shortage of nurses and midwives worldwide highlights the need to understand why nurses and midwives with disabilities decide to leave the profession. Further research exploring the experiences of nurses or midwives with disabilities will help identify support requirements, develop frameworks for reasonable adjustment accommodations, and assist with future workforce planning. The EQUATOR guidelines for PRISMA have been met. No Patient or Public Contribution.

Virtual Post-Intervention Speech and Language Assessment of Toddler and Preschool Participants in Babble Boot Camp.

PURPOSE: Babble Boot Camp (BBC) is a parent-implemented telepractice intervention for infants at risk for speech and language disorders. BBC uses a teach-model-coach-review approach, delivered through weekly 15-min virtual meetings with a speech-language pathologist. We discuss accommodations needed for successful virtual follow-up test administration and preliminary assessment outcomes for children with classic galactosemia (CG) and controls at age 2.5 years. METHOD: This clinical trial included 54 participants, 16 children with CG receiving BBC speech-language intervention from infancy, age 2 years, five children receiving sensorimotor intervention from infancy and changing to speech-language intervention at 15 months until 2 years of age, seven controls with CG, and 26 typically developing controls. The participants' language and articulation were assessed via telehealth at age 2.5 years. RESULTS: The Preschool Language Scale-Fifth Edition (PLS-5) was successfully administered with specific parent instruction and manipulatives assembled from the child's home. The GFTA-3 was successfully administered to all but three children who did not complete this assessment due to limited expressive vocabularies. Referrals for continued speech therapy based on PLS-5 and GFTA-3 scores were made for 16% of children who received BBC intervention from infancy as compared to 40% and 57% of children who began BBC at 15 months of age or did not receive BBC intervention, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: With extended time and accommodations from the standardized administration guidelines, virtual assessment of speech and language was possible. However, given the inherent challenges of testing very young children virtually, in-person assessment is recommended, when possible, for outcome measurements.

Community partnerships are fundamental to ethical ancient DNA research.

The ethics of the scientific study of Ancestors has long been debated by archaeologists, bioanthropologists, and, more recently, ancient DNA (aDNA) researchers. This article responds to the article "Ethics of DNA research on human remains: five globally applicable guidelines" published in 2021 in Nature by a large group of aDNA researchers and collaborators. We argue that these guidelines do not sufficiently consider the interests of community stakeholders, including descendant communities and communities with potential, but yet unestablished, ties to Ancestors. We focus on three main areas of concern with the guidelines. First is the false separation of "scientific" and "community" concerns and the consistent privileging of researcher perspectives over those of community members. Second, the commitment of the guidelines' authors to open data ignores the principles and practice of Indigenous Data Sovereignty. Further, the authors argue that involving community members in decisions about publication and data sharing is unethical. We argue that excluding community perspectives on "ethical" grounds is convenient for researchers, but it is not, in fact, ethical. Third, we stress the risks of not consulting communities that have established or potential ties to Ancestors, using two recent examples from the literature. Ancient DNA researchers cannot focus on the lowest common denominator of research practice, the bare minimum that is legally necessary. Instead, they should be leading multidisciplinary efforts to create processes to ensure communities from all regions of the globe are identified and engaged in research that affects them. This will often present challenges, but we see these challenges as part of the research, rather than a distraction from the scientific endeavor. If a research team does not have the capacity to meaningfully engage communities, questions must be asked about the value and benefit of their research.

Biological samples taken from Native American Ancestors are human remains under NAGPRA.

In the United States, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) provides a specific framework for the disposition of Native American Ancestral remains within its purview. However, samples such as a bone fragment, tooth, or other biological tissue taken from the remains of these Ancestors have been treated by institutions and researchers as independent of the individual from whom they were removed and used in destructive research such as paleogenomic and other archaeometric analyses without consultation, consent, and collaboration from Native American communities; are not cared for in keeping with the current best practices for Indigenous Ancestors; and are not likely to be repatriated to their communities. Here, we demonstrate that any biological samples removed from Ancestors who are covered under NAGPRA must also be handled according to the stipulations defined for "human remains" within the legislation. As such, we are not proposing a change to existing legislation, but rather best practices, specific to the context of the United States and NAGPRA, relating to the use of and care for biological samples taken from Native American Ancestors.

The evolution of registration standards for internationally qualified midwives in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Registration as an internationally qualified midwife in Australia can be challenging, as the individual must meet rigorous education and professional competency assessment standards. AIM: The purpose of this discussion is to present an overview of the evolution of registration standards for internationally qualified midwives in Australia from 2000 to 2020 and evaluate their effectiveness in promoting internationally qualified midwives' professional integration. RESULTS: Australian registration policies for internationally qualified midwives have undergone significant change over the last 20 years. In 2010, registration policy and governance moved from state or territory to national jurisdiction, then these standards were upgraded in 2014, and finally transitioned to an outcome-based assessment (OBA) program in 2020. Inconsistency and lack of transparency in established registration policies and their implementation were revealed, most notably when bridging programs for internationally qualified midwives from non-English speaking backgrounds were discontinued in Australia in 2015, despite reference in the NMBA policy as an available transition program from 2000 to 2020. The implementation of OBA in 2020, which occurred after a significant delay, complicated registration processes further with inclusion of two levels of assessment (MCQ examination and OSCE) and associated expenses. CONCLUSION: Evidence-based strategies and regulatory adjustments are necessary to effectively register internationally qualified midwives in Australia, particularly those from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Transition experiences of Middle Eastern midwives into Australian practice: A multiple case narrative study.

AIM: To explore transition experiences of Middle Eastern qualified midwives into practice in Australia. DESIGN: This was a qualitative study using multiple case narrative approach underpinned by structuration theory. METHODS: A total of 19 Middle Eastern qualified midwives from different states of Australia participated in this study. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted between November 2020 and September 2021, digitally recorded and then transcribed. Transcriptions were analysed in three stages, with three main categories generated in the second stage and a core category that was developed in third. RESULTS: Entering the Australian workforce, Middle Eastern qualified midwives had to reframe their professional identities to fit the new system by adjusting to three aspects of the practice, including preparation for practice, scope of practice and context of practice. While they were prepared by medically oriented curricula, worked in systems that had limitations for midwives to practise in antenatal and postnatal and lacked regulation standards, they learned to practise autonomously in their full scope in a standardized context in Australia. CONCLUSION: Middle Eastern qualified midwives in Australia re-evaluated their practice in their home countries, realized the gaps and adjusted to new ways of practising in Australia. IMPACT: To effectively use the potential of Middle Eastern midwives for workforce sustainability in Australia, support should be available to enable them to develop the necessary competencies for safe practice in Australia including provision of context-specific transition programmes prior to registration and supporting mentorship after their integration into the Australian healthcare workforce. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patient or public contribution does not apply to this study as its purpose was to explore the transition experiences of Middle Eastern qualified midwives themselves.

Who uses digital drugs? An international survey of 'binaural beat' consumers.

INTRODUCTION: Digital drugs, or binaural beats claimed to elicit specific cognitive or emotional states, are a phenomenon about which little is known. In this brief report, we describe demographic and drug use correlates of binaural beat use, patterns of use, reasons for use and methods of access. METHODS: The Global Drug Survey 2021 was translated into 11 languages; 30 896 responses were gathered from 22 countries. RESULTS: The use of binaural beats to experience altered states was reported by 5.3% of the sample (median age 27; 60.5% male), with the highest rates from the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Poland, Romania and the United Kingdom. Controlling for all variables, age and non-male gender predicted binaural beat use, as did the recent use of cannabis, psychedelics and novel/new drugs. Respondents most commonly used binaural beats 'to relax or fall asleep' (72.2%) and 'to change my mood' (34.7%), while 11.7% reported trying 'to get a similar effect to that of other drugs'. This latter motivation was more commonly reported among those who used classic psychedelics (16.5% vs. 7.9%; P < 0.001). The majority sought to connect with themselves (53.1%) or 'something bigger than themselves' (22.5%) through the experience. Binaural beats were accessed primarily through video streaming sites via mobile phones. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This paper establishes the existence of the phenomenon of listening to binaural beats to elicit changes in embodied and psychological states. Future research directions include the cultural context for consumption and proximate experiences, including co-use with ingestible drugs and other auditory phenomena.

Transition experiences of internationally qualified health care professionals: A narrative scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The migration of health care professionals exposes the individual to a variety of challenges as they adjust to the host country's workforce system. While there is a growing body of literature on the individual transition stage of internationally qualified health care professionals, little is known about the overall process and how each stage interacts with the others. AIM: To examine what is known about factors impacting transition experiences of internationally qualified health care professionals at various stages from pre- to post-arrival in their new country. DESIGN: Scoping review incorporating narrative synthesis was conducted. DATA SOURCES: A range of databases were searched, including CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, and ProQuest, as well as reference lists. REVIEW METHODS: The adapted framework methodology described by the Joanna Briggs Institute informed this review. The review included qualitative and quantitative primary peer-reviewed research studies focusing on transition experiences of internationally qualified health care professionals. Included studies were analysed and synthesised using a three-step narrative synthesis. RESULTS: A total of 48 studies were included in the review from nursing, medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and midwifery, with the majority from nursing. The majority of the internationally qualified health care professionals migrated from Philippine, India, and South Africa to the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Four themes emerged from the review: misguided migration (pre-arrival), a shocking reality (early arrival), challenging accreditation and orientation (registration), and multidimensional work challenge (post-registration). Identified issues impacting the transition experience of internationally qualified health care professionals across different disciplines and nations were generally similar. CONCLUSIONS: Misinformation resulted in unexpected realities upon arrival in destination countries, ineffective accreditation procedures during registration and inadequate support in destination countries led to workplace challenges. With ongoing recruitment of international health care workers, a holistic approach that considers the various stages of transition is necessary to assist in establishing new identities and integrating into the destination country's workforce. This includes informing internationally qualified health professionals accurately about professional and cultural expectations in host countries prior to migration, implementing culturally specific training upon arrival in the destination country, developing and implementing effective accreditation and registration policies, and providing structured mentorship and support following employment.

Continuity of care experiences: A national cross-sectional survey exploring the views and experiences of Australian students and academics.

BACKGROUND: Continuity of Care Experiences (CoCEs) are a component of all entry-to-practice midwifery programs in Australia and facilitate an understanding of the central midwifery philosophy of woman-centred care and continuity of the therapeutic relationship. The aim of this research was to explore how CoCEs are viewed and experienced by students and academics across Australia. METHODS: Students enrolled in Australian midwifery programs and academics who teach into these programs were invited to participate in a cross sectional, web-based survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and free text responses were analysed using content analysis. FINDINGS: Four hundred and five students and 61 academics responded to the survey. The CoCE was viewed as a positive and unique learning experience, preparing students to work in midwifery-led continuity models and developing confidence in their midwifery role. Challenges in recruitment, participation in care, and balancing the workload with other course requirements were evident in reports from students, but less understood by academics. Significant personal impact on finances, health and wellbeing of students were also reported. DISCUSSION: The value of CoCEs as an experiential learning opportunity is clear, however, many students report being challenged by elements of the CoCE within current models as they try to maintain study-work-life balance. CONCLUSION: Innovative course structure that considers and embeds the CoCE requirements within the curricula, in addition to a collective commitment from regulatory bodies, the maternity care sector and Universities to facilitate CoCEs for students may address some of the significant student impacts that are reported by this research.

A framework for evaluating island restoration performance: A case study from the Chesapeake Bay.

The use of natural habitats for coastal protection (also known as Nature-Based Solutions or NBS) in place of engineered structures like breakwaters and seawalls can yield a wide range of ecological and economic benefits. Despite these advantages, NBS are not commonly implemented for shoreline protection due to uncertainty over the amount of protection afforded by each unique feature and how protective capacity and ecological benefits are likely to change over time as NBS mature and adapt to changing environmental drivers. Here, we highlight the recent restoration of Swan Island in the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA, and the collaborative approach used to evaluate post-construction performance, as a framework for quantitative evaluation of NBS projects. At Swan Island, 60 000 cubic yards of dredged sediment were used to elevate and restore the island's footprint with an emphasis on increasing its protective and ecological benefits and long-term resilience to sea-level rise. Five entities have leveraged resources to quantify the benefits and efficacy of island restoration by conducting pre- and post-restoration monitoring, which supports the development of an integrated, simulation model that includes three "measured" system parameters: wave height, vegetative biomass, and island profile (i.e., elevations). The model will be used to predict island performance under a range of different system scenarios and used to inform adaptive management options. Results will demonstrate the efficacy of leveraging natural and engineered processes to restore island systems while providing a framework for quantifying NBS. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:42-48. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Connectivity, not short-range endemism, characterises the groundwater biota of a northern Australian karst system.

Groundwater ecosystems have a diverse and unique fauna, often dominated by Crustacea and generally characterised by short range endemics confined to single aquifers. Much of this knowledge has come from studies conducted either in fractured rock aquifers or alluvial aquifers. Karstic subterranean environments are present in the Cambrian Limestone Aquifer (CLA) in the Northern Territory, Australia, a freshwater aquifer which spans an area of ~28,000 km2. The presence of underground caverns and channels potentially allows extensive connectivity within this groundwater system. The emerging shale gas industry in the Beetaloo region, which underlies the CLA, provided the impetus to undertake the first survey of the potential existence of a stygofaunal community. Twenty-six groundwater wells (bores) and two springs were sampled in August and October 2019, across a distance of ~500 km, from the sub-tropical Mataranka region in the north to the semi-arid Barkly Tablelands in the south. Plankton nets and motorised pumps were used to collect water samples and conventional microscope-based morphological examinations in conjunction with environmental DNA (eDNA) were used to determine the presence of stygofauna. COI barcoding and 16S rRNA regions were also used for phylogenetic analysis. All stygofaunal communities were dominated by crustaceans, namely shrimps, amphipods, ostracods, copepods and syncarids. This fauna showed little affinity with the stygofauna recorded from more extensively sampled aquifers in north-western Australia, with new genera and species present in the CLA. eDNA analysis showed the presence of diverse biota at sites where direct water sampling for intact animals was difficult. COI and 16S analysis confirmed that a species of blind shrimp, Parisia unguis, occurred extensively throughout the aquifer, over a distance of at least ~300 km. The presence of Pa. unguis at widely separated sites across the CLA is consistent with substantial connectivity within the aquifer. This connectivity indicates that the risk of groundwater contamination from fracking chemicals needs to be adequately mitigated to prevent widespread effects.

Compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among palliative care health providers: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care can be demanding and stressful for providers. There is increasing recognition in the literature of the impact of caregiving in palliative care settings, including compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction. However, to date this literature has not been systematically reviewed. The purpose of this scoping review was to map the literature on compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among palliative care health providers caring for adult patients. METHODS: Scoping review method guided by Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines was conducted using four electronic databases to identify the relevant studies published with no time limit. Following the title and abstract review, two reviewers independently screened full-text articles, and extracted study data. A narrative approach to synthesizing the literature was used. RESULTS: Twenty studies were included in the review. Five themes emerged from synthesis: conceptualisation of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction; measurement of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction; consequences of compassion fatigue or compassion satisfaction and providing care for patients with life-threatening conditions; predictors or associated factors of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among palliative care health providers; and strategies or interventions to support palliative care health providers and reduce compassion fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Limited studies examined the effectiveness of specific interventions to improve compassion satisfaction and reduce compassion fatigue among palliative care health providers. Further investigation of the impacts of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction on palliative care health providers and their work is also needed.

Saline mine-water alters the structure and function of prokaryote communities in shallow groundwater below a tropical stream.

Bacteria and archaea (prokaryotes) are vital components for maintaining healthy function of groundwater ecosystems. The prokaryotic community composition and associated putative functional processes were examined in a shallow sandy aquifer in a wet-dry tropical environment. The aquifer had a contaminated gradient of saline mine-water, which primarily consisted of elevated magnesium (Mg2+) and sulfate (SO42-), although other major ions and trace metals were also present. Groundwaters were sampled from piezometers, approximately 2 m in depth, located in the creek channel upstream and downstream of the mine-water influence. Sampling occurred during the dry-season when only subsurface water flow was present. Next generation sequencing was used to analyse the prokaryote assemblages using 16S rDNA and metabolic functions were predicted with FAPROTAX. Significant changes in community composition and functional processes were observed with exposure to mine-waters. Communities in the exposed sites had significantly lower relative abundance of methanotrophs such as Methylococcaceae and methanogens (Methanobacteriaceae), but higher abundance in Nitrososphaeraceae, associated with nitrification, indicating potentially important changes in the biogeochemistry of the exposed sites. The changes were most strongly correlated with concentrations of SO42-, Mg2+ and Na+. This knowledge allows an assessment of the risk of mine-water contamination to groundwater ecosystem function and aids mine-water management.

How is clinical credibility defined in nursing? A concept mapping study.

AIM: To develop a working definition of 'clinical credibility' in nursing science. METHODS: This is stage 2 of a registered report. Concept mapping methodology, 1. Preparation, 2. Generation of statements (brainstorming), 3. Structuring of statements (prioritising/clustering), 4. Representation of statements, 5. Interpretation of maps and 6. Utilisation of maps were used. Part 1 of our registered report followed the required items on the SPIRIT 2013 checklist. Part 2 was reporting the results of our study adhered to the STROBE reporting guidelines. RESULTS: Participants (n = 67) from three stakeholder groups participated in this study. Nursing students (n = 23), nurses and other healthcare professionals (n = 23), and patients (within the last 12 months) (n = 21). Participants (n = 62) generated statements (n = 429) in response to the question: 'What does clinical credibility mean to you?'. Following statement reduction, participants (n = 61) prioritised and clustered (n = 80) statements. The data were analysed using the concept mapping software, Ariadne. A visual 'concept map' was produced showing the importance and relationship of each statement as viewed by all participants. The final concept map had nine clusters. In order of importance these are as follows: 1. Safe practice, 2. Communication, 3. Patient-centred care, 4. Accountable, 5. Professional practice, 6. Clinical competence, 7. Teaching attributes, 8. Contemporary expert and 9. Leadership. This study was undertaken over an eight-month period. CONCLUSION: Clinical credibility is not necessarily about contemporary clinical practice. It is a multidimensional construct of which current clinical practice is one element.

How is clinical credibility defined in nursing? Protocol for a concept mapping study.

AIM: To develop a working definition of the concept of "clinical credibility" in nursing science. BACKGROUND: In both academic and clinical settings, the phrase "clinical credibility" is used when discussing the education of health professionals. No clear definition for the concept is evident in the academic literature. To date, there has not been a study undertaken to develop a working definition of clinical credibility in nursing science. METHODS: This protocol is stage 1 of a registered report. We will use concept mapping to compare and organise views of three stakeholder groups: nursing students (n = 20) from years 2 or 3 of a three-year Bachelor of Nursing Programme, nurses and other health professionals (n = 20) still practising within a clinical setting, and people who have recently been inpatients in hospital (n = 20). First, participants will take part in separate stakeholder focus groups to generate statements about "What is clinical credibility?". Second, the same participants will complete two tasks: (1) rank the importance of each statement (prioritising) and (2) put the statements that appear to go together into groups (clustering). The data will then be analysed using a specialised software program called Ariadne. A visual "concept map" will be produced showing the importance and relationship of each statement as viewed by the participants. The projected timeline for the study is one year. The paper complies with the SPIRIT 2013 guidelines for study protocols adapted for mixed methods research. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will provide a working definition of the concept of "clinical credibility" in nursing science. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings can be used to develop a measure of clinical credibility to predict student satisfaction and patient safety outcomes.