Table 3 The subcategories, main categories, and main themes of the study

1.1.1. Lack of motivation

1.1. Students’ neglectfulness towards learning

1. Barriers to clinical competence development

1.1.2. Limited knowledge development

1.1.3. Credentialism

1.1.4. Routine-based practice

1.2.1. Incompetence of clinical nursing instructors

1.2. Inefficiency of educational system

1.2.2. Defective student evaluation

1.2.3. Shortage of clinical education environment

1.2.4. Poor educational materials

1.2.5. Theory–practice-research gap

1.3.1. Incompetence of managers

1.3. Ineffective management

1.3.2. Limited job satisfaction

2.1.1. Competence-based staff recruitment

2.1. Effective educational planning

2. Facilitators to clinical competence development

2.1.2. Developing a need-based educational program

2.2.1. Effective management

2.2. Management improvement

2.2.2. Improvement of continuing education

2.2.3. Improvement of the quality of working life