Practical Learning and Theory-Practice as Perceived by Student Nurses in Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Background: The theory-practice gap is arguably the most important issue in nursing today, given that it challenges the concept of research-based practice, which is the basis of nursing as a profession. Majority of the student nurses shared their views that some of the practical procedures that they learned during their theory sessions were different from what was practised in the wards which caused some worries among the students that it may affect their performance during their Obstructive Structured Clinical Examination. Keywords: theory-practice gap, practical learning