Table 1 Themes, subthemes and supporting quotes illustrating the thematic analysis process, following the example of Burnard [54], Gallagher and Porock [55], Priest, Roberts and Woods [56], and Woods, Priest and Roberts [57]

How is ICT influencing education and the new generation of students in general?

What is the purpose behind the use of ICT?

What do you think of ICT in nursing education?

How has technology influenced the nursing profession?

Perception of Interviewees on ICT

Enhances the Learning Experience of Students

“Some students are passive learners, they rely on what they are given, read their book and PPP and that’s it for them. The use of ICT is helping those students become active learners and self-directed”.

Enhances Access to Information

“Knowledge is advancing quickly, everyday there are new guidelines, if we want students to apply the most recent practice, we should be able to access the most recent update”.

Decreases the Gap Between Students and Teachers

“Teachers have become closer to students using ICT, because the use of ICT attracts students further to their studies”.

Challenges Faced When Using ICT

“Part of the challenges in this country include slow internet, and electricity shut downs, these alone do not encourage the use of ICT”.

Do you think nursing students need to be prepared to use ICT? Why? How?

Should the nursing curriculum include computer training for students? If Yes/ No, why?

In your opinion, for what purpose nursing students use ICT?

Do you think current nursing practice requires the use of ICT in health care?

How do you foresee the role of technology in nursing education in the future?

ICT Use

ICT as a Communication Method

“Due to the compromised security in Lebanon, sometimes we can get to communicate with students rapidly and directly through text messages and WhatsApp”.

Contexts in Which ICT Is Used

“Students get their personal computers (PCS) to class to record lectures and take their notes electronically”.

Consistency in ICT Use

“We don’t use ICT in a standardized manner, we need to standardize its use so there would be better consistency. We have the university electronic system, we don’t all use it in the same way, while some use a lot of its features, still others are bound to the basics”.

Usage of New Technology Approaches

“I will use a new approach, if it is accessible, I already downloaded lots of videos for my classes like on suturing and some other specific procedures”.

ICT in Simulation Labs and Electronic Libraries

“Using electronic libraries also encourage students to access and apply evidence-based practice, we need to reach information to know what is happening”.

Discrepancies in ICT Use

“Using ICT regularly requires extra personal efforts. While I am enthusiastic to do it, this is something that not all faculty are passionate about, students decide how and what they want to learn, and we try to meet their needs”

Are you willing to try new teaching approaches in your classroom related to using ICT? How? Do you think you are using enough ICT with your students?

In your opinion what are the factors that encourage the use of ICT?

What are the factors that discourage you from using ICT?

ICT Knowledge

Need for Further Training

“There should be updates and workshops for faculty members, as we feel that students know more”

Presence of ICT Policy

“Technology has a major role in our practice and we use it a lot; however, there is no clear policy on ICT use due to varied reasons”

ICT Influence on the Nursing Profession

“The future of the nursing profession, and nursing as a career is changing, in which ICT is becoming a major part of it”

Competencies and Skills

“Nursing students need to have ICT skills, because hospitals recruit nurses from different backgrounds, and there are varied ICT skills levels among students, they all should be well prepared to practice”