Newly Qualified Nurses’ Perception of Their Competency Achievement on Leaving University: A Qualitative Study

Olga María López-Entrambasaguas, Rocío Martínez-Yebenes, María José Calero-García, José Granero-Molina and José Manuel Martínez-Linares
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Olga María López-Entrambasaguas: Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain
Rocío Martínez-Yebenes: Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain
María José Calero-García: Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain
José Granero-Molina: Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine Department, Faculty of Education Sciences, Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Almería, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain
José Manuel Martínez-Linares: Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-13

Abstract: Background : After implementing the Tuning Educational Structures in Europe Project, numerous efforts have been made to define, establish, and evaluate nursing competences. The European Federation of Nurses Association played a key role in enacting the nursing competences included in Directive 2013/55/EU. Nevertheless, assessing competences remains elusive, and there is little research into nurses’ perceptions of the competency training provided by their universities. The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of newly qualified nurses about the competences they acquired during their university education. Methods : A qualitative research study was developed in a Spanish university. Twelve semi-structured interviews with newly qualified nurses were conducted, and two focus groups made up of twelve students were carried out in order to triangulate the results. Participants were recruited through email contact. Interviews focused on clinical training, theoretical content, and the reality of healthcare. Data was analyzed thematically. Results : Two main themes emerged: (1) improving theoretical content and (2) rethinking practical lessons and clinical training. A lack of knowledge about mental health, pharmacology, or critical care has been found; in addition, it was highlighted, among others, the need to improve communication skills in difficult and conflictive situations. Conclusions : Considering the participants’ perception of deficiency in some aspects of most of the competences established by the European Federation of Nurses Association, further research has been suggested to include other stakeholders’ views.

Keywords: qualitative research; students, nursing; nurses; competency-based education; education; nursing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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