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?o The study emphasizes that early clinical placements significantly enhance first-year nursing students' empathy and professional identity, highlighting the need for nursing education to incorporate practical experiences earlier in the curriculum to foster deeper understanding and commitment to the profession.Quantitative surveys assessed empathy changes in nursing students pre- and post-clinical placement, while qualitative diaries explored their professional identity development.????

 The study explores how early clinical exposure influences first-year nursing students' empathy and professional identity
 The study used a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative analyses to assess nursing students' empathy and professional identity post-placement
 Quantitative surveys assessed empathy changes in nursing students pre- and post-clinical placement, while qualitative diaries explored their professional identity development.
 Empathy was measured using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), while professional identity was analyzed through students' diaries documenting their clinical experiences and feelings.
 Quantitative analysis used IBM SPSS for descriptive statistics and t-tests, while qualitative analysis involved thematic analysis of diaries for professional identity themes.
 The study measured nursing students' empathy levels using the IRI, ensuring reliability, and involved qualitative diary analysis, with ethical approval obtained for voluntary participation.
 Nursing students demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive, affective, and total empathy after clinical placement, while also expressing heightened passion and a sense of mission for their profession through practical experiences.

• The study emphasizes that early clinical placements significantly enhance first-year nursing students' empathy and professional identity, highlighting the need for nursing education to incorporate practical experiences earlier in the curriculum to foster deeper understanding and commitment to the profession.