Against the backdrop of a rapidly aging global population and escalating burdens of chronic diseases, the demand for qualified nursing professionals has reached unprecedented heights. Projections indicate that the global healthcare sector could face a shortage of up to 15 million medical professionals by 2030, with acute deficits concentrated in East Asia. Within China, the ratio of registered nurses remains significantly lower than that of Western industrialized nations, averaging approximately four nurses per 1,000 residents. This chronic labor shortage places immense operational pressure on clinical environments and directly impacts patient satisfaction and the overall quality of care. To bridge this widening human resource gap, nursing students undergoing their final-year clinical internships serve as an indispensable component of hospital workforces. However, the transition from academic theory to hands-on clinical practice is fraught with systemic and psychological hurdles. A recent multi-institutional study conducted in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China, has shed light on this vulnerable demographic, investigating the psychological profiles and underlying factors contributing to nursing interns’ perceived inadequacy. Latent Profile Analysis Uncovers Four Distinct Subgroups Between May and September 2025, researchers surveyed 579 nursing interns drawn from a prominent medical college and a health vocational college. Utilizing a descriptive cross-sectional design that complied with STROBE reporting standards, the investigation sought to move beyond generalized scoring models by applying latent profile analysis (LPA). This individual-centered statistical approach allowed researchers to identify hidden sub-populations within the cohort based on the Perceived Inadequate Qualifications Scale, Psychological Capital Questionnaire, and comprehensive socio-demographic parameters. The data analysis revealed that nursing interns’ overall perceptions of inadequate qualifications stood at a moderately high level, registering a median score of 12 (9.14). More importantly, the LPA model successfully categorized the cohort into four distinct heterogeneity profiles: The Mild Feelings of Inadequacy Group (22.5%): Comprising 129 participants, this profile featured interns who scored below average across all items measuring professional insufficiency. These individuals largely chose nursing voluntarily, maintained positive professional attitudes, and demonstrated a strong capacity to integrate theoretical knowledge with clinical practice. The Moderate Competency Deficit Group (45.4%): Representing the largest segment with 258 participants, this group scored at moderate levels across inadequacy indicators. Typically characterized by students who entered the major via parental guidance or institutional assignment, this cohort reported average satisfaction with their learning and experienced significant psychological pressure during placements. The Competence-Competent Group (9.8%): Comprising 58 high-achieving individuals, this elite segment reported competency anxiety scores significantly below the population mean. These interns rapidly adapted to hospital environments, exhibited high academic mastery, and expressed robust satisfaction with their acquired skills, positioning them as job-ready graduates. The Competence Anxiety-Severe Group (22.3%): Consisting of 134 participants, this profile was marked by scores significantly above the mean across all inadequacy metrics. This group recorded higher rates of clinical nursing errors, severe psychological distress, and a profound lack of preparedness for real-world medical responsibilities. Influencing Factors and Psychological Capital Multivariate logistic regression analysis, using the severe anxiety group as a reference category, isolated several key risk factors influencing the distribution of these latent profiles. Psychological capital—encompassing dimensions of hope, resilience, self-efficacy, and optimism—emerged as a critical protective factor. Higher levels of psychological capital consistently correlated with a reduced likelihood of falling into severe inadequacy categories, demonstrating that mentally resilient students are better equipped to cope with clinical stressors. Conversely, significant psychological pressure was identified as a universal risk factor across the mild, moderate, and competent groups. Furthermore, specific variables such as the original motivation for choosing the nursing profession and the occurrence of clinical errors heavily predicted membership in the more vulnerable categories. For instance, interns who experienced procedural errors during their hospital rotations were disproportionately represented among those reporting severe competence anxiety. Implications for Nursing Education and Healthcare Administration The findings carry profound implications for nursing educators, vocational administrators, and hospital preceptors. Academic institutions and teaching hospitals must transition away from standardized, one-size-fits-all training models. Instead, clinical coordinators are urged to implement targeted preceptorship frameworks that rapidly identify at-risk students during the early stages of their 12-month internships. Experts suggest that bolstering psychological support systems, offering structured mental health interventions, and refining clinical mentorship can mitigate feelings of underqualification. By providing individualized oversight—such as one-on-one supervision for students struggling with practical tasks—healthcare facilities can reduce the incidence of medical errors, lower professional burnout, and curb post-graduation attrition rates. As health authorities strive to expand the nursing workforce to meet national healthcare targets over the coming years, addressing the psychological health and perceived competence of nursing interns remains a critical priority for sustainable workforce development. Post navigation Sound relief: Restorative Music as a strategy to improve clinician wellbeing
