Nursing Students' Experiences of Geriatric Smart Care: A Qualitative Exploration at the Intersection
of Technology and Humanistic Care R. Wang, Y. Ai*, Y. Liu, Z. Wan. Gerontechnology 25(s)
R. Wang, Y. Ai*, Y. Liu, Z. Wan.
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AbstractPURPOSE: Smart Geriatric Care internships have become a critical component of nursing education amid the deep integration of aging and digital technology. However, nursing students' understanding and integration of technological efficacy and humanistic values remain unclear [1], highlighting the necessity for research to explore their perspectives. METHOD: A descriptive qualitative research design was employed. Twelve undergraduate nursing students participating in Smart Geriatric Care institution placements were sampled. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted, and placement reflection journals were collected concurrently. The data analysis in this study followed the thematic analysis framework proposed by Braun and Clarke (Figure 1). The researcher conducted manual coding throughout the process, utilizing NVivo 12.0 software to manage textual data and assist in completing the analytical sequence of "initial coding, theme generation, deliberative revision, and final naming." Results and Discussion Students expressed their views on smart internships, revealing four key themes: recognition of internship necessity, positive construction of self-efficacy, practical barriers to goal implementation, and optimized pathways for career development. Findings reveal that nursing students participating in smart nursing internships both recognize the value of technology and express concerns about its potential impact on humanistic care. Future nursing education should strive for a deep integration of technology-enabled practices and humanistic care to cultivate nursing professionals who meet contemporary demands [2].Keywords: Smart geriatric care; Technology empowerment; Humanistic care; Internship
experience; Nursing students; Qualitative research
R. Wang, Y. Ai*, Y. Liu, Z. Wan. (2026). Nursing Students' Experiences of Geriatric Smart Care: A Qualitative Exploration at the Intersection
of Technology and Humanistic Care R. Wang, Y. Ai*, Y. Liu, Z. Wan. Gerontechnology 25(s). Gerontechnology, 25(2), 1-10
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2026.25.2.1391.3