Performance clinical competence of pregraduate nursing students and hospital nurses measured by a computerized model of performance-based measurement system

6^th World Nursing and Healthcare Conference

August 15-17, 2016 London, UK

Ching-Yu Cheng and Shwu-Ru Liou

Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Traditionally, clinical competence was measured using self-report scales; however, whether those measurements can reflect acture competence is questioned in literatures. The study was to explore performance-based clinical competence of pregraduate nursing students and hospital nurses using a Computerized Model of Performance-Based Measurement (CMPBM) system. The study was a cross-sectional research design. 52 nurses and 50 students completed the CMPBM that was built based on the Clinical Reasoning Theory with case scenarios and questions to assess performance competence including critical thinking, conflict resolutions, and common clinical technical problems. Results showed that both nurses and students were not highly competent with 53.85% and 32.0% respectively met the satisfactory level of competence of the CMPBM (higher than 70% of the total score). Participants especially had low scores on â�?�?collecting data from onsite physical assessment,â�? â�?�?processing information,â�? â�?�?recognizing and prioritizing problems,â�? and â�?�?arranging a course of action for patient care.â�? They were not competent in solving common technical problems and conflicts as well. Nurses were more competent than students in â�?�?considering the patientsâ�?�? situations,â�? â�?�?collecting data from onsite physical assessment,â�? â�?�?processing information,â�? â�?�?arranging a course of action for patient care,â�? and â�?�?evaluating and reflecting.â�? The top-three difficult technical skills to perform were performing CPR, reading EKG, and performing venipuncture/starting intravenous lines. The study revealed level of performance competence and deficiencies in competence of nurses and nursing pregraduates. Current academic curriculum/course design for nursing students and orientation/training programs for nurses need to be reviewed to meet the competence needs of nursing pregraduates and nurses.

Biography :

Professor Ching-Yu Cheng has completed her PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, USA. She is currently teaching at the Chang Gung University of Science and Technology in Taiwan. She has been teaching for more than 20 years and has published more than 30 papers in reputed journals and conducted many resaerches. Her researches focused on women’s health including biobehavioral studies

Email: cycheng@gw.cgust.edu.tw