This study aimed to develop and implement an effective learning process for students through the surgical nursing internship program, utilizing participatory action research. The sample of the study consisted of 33 students enrolled in the nursing faculty of a university who voluntarily chose the Surgical Diseases Nursing Intern Practice Course. The data were collected during the 14-week intern application period in 2018-2019 academic year. The data consisted of students’ opinions and evaluations before and after the internship, various students’ assignments, academic success grades, and peer evaluations. In addition, the “Intern Students Clinical Learning Environments Evaluation Form” with 36 items and 6 sub-dimensions were used. The data were analyzed using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods. The themes of “personal development”, “professional development”, and “special expectations” were obtained from the opinions of the intern students before the clinic practice. The themes of “personal development”, “professional development”, and “limitations” were obtained from the opinions after the clinic practice. Students rated clinical learning environments in general and communication, learning opportunities, learning support, clinical atmosphere, nursing practices, and learning process areas as “quite appropriate” and “appropriate”. When the data obtained from the research were interpreted, it was seen that the surgical intern practice program revealed an effective learning process and was beneficial for the students. It was concluded that the students found the clinical learning environments sufficient and appropriate after the clinical practice, achieved gains beyond their expectations, improved themselves professionally and personally, and the surgical nursing internship program was effective.

Keywords: Clinical Learning Environment, Internship Program, Nursing Education, Surgical Nursing.