ABSTRACT
AIM: To conceptualize how undergraduate nursing students' reason and think during Simulation-Based experiences (SBE) and explore the indicators of sound clinical judgment. BACKGROUND: Nursing students' clinical reasoning processes during Simulation Based Experiences (SBE) are not well understood and underexplored. The purpose of this study is to conceptualize how undergraduate nursing students' reason and think during SBE. DESIGN: A constructivist grounded theory methodology was used to explore nursing students' clinical reasoning during SBE METHOD: A grounded theory methodology was used to explore nursing students' clinical reasoning during SBE. A purposive sample was used to recruit participants including 32 third-year nursing students. Data collection using semi-structured interviews conducted over 9 months in 2020-2021. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and the data were analyzed using the logic of constant comparison supported by memoing, theoretical sampling and conceptual mapping. RESULTS: Seeking autonomy is the core category that emerged from the participants' responses that conceptualizes the students' reasoning process during SBEs. CONCLUSION: Evidence from this grounded theory study adds validation to the practice of using SBEs to support students' clinical reasoning process and prepare them to be competent in clinical practice.