Background: Authors commonly agree that the clinical learning environment significantly affects student learning. Studies of how operating room nurses perceive the clinical learning environment during their specialist studies are sparse. 

Method: This study aimed to examine newly graduated operating room nurses’ perceptions of the clinical learning environment during their specialist education. Fifty newly graduated operating room nurses answered a questionnaire gaging their perceptions of clinical education. 

Results: Most participants perceived the clinical learning environment as good and highly associated with the supervisor’s ability to supervise, enjoy supervision, and show interest in the participants’ degree project. The management at the clinical setting, which was perceived to emphasize the importance of supervision, time allocated especially for supervision, and perceived cooperation between the University and hospital, also had an impact. 

Conclusion: Social interactions and structures within the operating room affect how the clinical learning environment is perceived.