Background <p>Clinical placements are a significant component of nursing education, providing students with invaluable real-world learning experiences. However, student nurses often encounter emotional challenges that may impact their quality of care and academic performance.</p> Aim <p>This study aims to explore the emotional challenges encountered by nursing students during their clinical placements.</p> Method <p>This study employed a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive research design. Sixteen (16) student nurses were sampled to share their emotional experiences during clinical placement. Data were collected through individual in-depth face-to-face interviews using an interview guide. The data was analysed using thematic analysis (year of data collection: 2024).</p> Results <p>Four themes and 12 subthemes emerged from the data, which include perceived contributing factors to students’ emotional challenges, emotional challenges in clinical settings, effects of emotional challenges, and supportive coping mechanisms.</p> Conclusions <p>Nursing students experience emotional challenges during clinical placements, which impact their theoretical, clinical learning and the care they provide. This study has important implications for curriculum development, improving the clinical environment, and enhancing patient care. Nursing education programs can better support their students, ultimately leading to a more resilient and effective nursing workforce.</p>