Table 2 Exploratory factor analysis of the “Chinese Nursing Students’ Professional Self-concept Scale”

Items 1: I am able to perform sufficient clinical rotations to achieve learning objectives

0.527

Items2: I have a specific job assignment

0.574

Items3: My work assignments are appropriately challenging for my level of knowledge

0.783

Items4: I am able to experience care based on contemporary evidence-based practice concepts

0.726

Items5: I can apply the knowledge learned in school to clinical practice.

0.719

Items 7: The teacher’s expectations of my performance are realistic.

0.678

Items 8: With the increase of skills, the teacher gave me more opportunities to operate at bedside.

0.730

Items 9: I consider myself a member of the internship department, and I have a good relationship with everyone.

0.586

Items 11: Patients are willing to accept my care and give frequent feedback

0.787

Items 12: The teacher provided me with enough guidance to acquire new knowledge.

0.581

Items 13: Medical ethics training runs through the whole process of clinical learning

0.549

Items 14: The hospital has a perfect nursing teaching management system

0.635

Items15: There are a lot of meaningful learning situations in the ward.

0.677

Items 16: Clinical teaching methods are diverse and innovative

0.725

Items 17: I can negotiate my own schedule

0.584

Items18: The hospital has good communication channels to listen to students’ opinions and make corresponding improvements.

0.819

Items 19: My psychological stress at work can be noticed and supported effectively

0.771

Items20: The hospital can determine the roles and responsibilities of the students and does not rely on the students to carry out the core work content.

0.826

Items 21: The hospital can effectively deal with all kinds of emergencies that threaten the safety of students

0.766

Eigenvalue

5.986

3.833

3.766

Explained Variance%

31.506

20.172

19.822

Cumulative explained variance%

31.506

51.678

71.500