Croatian Nursing Journal, Vol. 1 No. 1, 2017.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.24141/2/1/1/5
Nursing Students Opinion on Knowledge Need for Nursing Practice and Self Assessment of Adopted Competencies at the End of an Undergraduate Study Programme
Snježana Čukljek
orcid.org/0000-0002-6435-5818
; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Sanja Ledinski Fičko
; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Marija Hošnjak
; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Martina Smrekar
; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Aim. The aims of this research were to obtain students' opinions on the necessary knowledge for performing nursing practice listed in EU directives, student self-assessments on adopted competencies and students’ opinions on internships. This research was undertaken to determine whether there are differences in student responses depending on their previous education.
Methods. The final study included 61 third-year nursing students. Students voluntarily and anonymously completed a questionnaire that included information such as demographic data, learning areas according to Directive 2005/36/EC and competencies under Directive 2013/55/EU, and questions related to the need and length of internships at the end of the nursing programme.
Results. At the end of the study, students considered nursing knowledge to be the most significant knowledge (M=4.74), followed by communication skills (M=4.49), and clinical and basic medical sciences. Students rated research knowledge in nursing as the least significant. Students who had not completed secondary nursing school gave statistically significant higher estimates related to the significance of required knowledge (p=0.035). Students were cautious in their self-assessments of the acquired competencies of nursing practice. They rated their ability to empower individuals, families and groups towards healthy lifestyles and self-care the highest; and their ability to independently initiate life-preserving immediate measures and to carry out measures in crises and disaster situations the lowest. Most of the respondents (74.6%) stated that an internship was required after graduation, and that it should last up to 6 months. Students who responded that an internship was required had higher estimates related to the necessary knowledge for performing a nursing profession (p=0.033).
Conclusion. Employment in the health care system is stressful and challenging for a newly graduated nurse. To facilitate the transition from the role of a student to the role of a nurse, the cooperation of the education system and the health care system is necessary.
Keywords
study of nursing; nurses; competencies; knowledge
Hrčak ID:
194748
URI
Publication date:
18.12.2017.
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