The perceived preparedness of prelicensure nursing students to transition to practice

Background

The impact of clinical site limitations on the categories of clinical competencies among prelicensure nursing students (PNSs) is not clear.

Aim

To describe the perceived clinical preparedness of PNSs who experience alterations in their training.

Methods

Forty-four PNSs were surveyed using the Clinical Competence Questionnaire (CCQ). CCQ measures four categories of nursing competencies: (a) professional behaviors (PB), (b) general performance (GP), (c) core skills (CS), and (d) advanced skills (ANS).

Results

Most students (89%) reported feeling unprepared to enter practice or reenter clinical settings. The average overall perceived competence score was 169 (SD = 22, 128-212). The averages for PB, GP, CS, and AS were low. Students’ CS and AS scores were significantly and negatively correlated with the number of altered courses (r = −.38, p = .008; r = −.35, p = .018 respectively), and students’ GP scores were significantly, and inversely, associated with the number of missed clinical days (r = −.32, p = .03).

Conclusions

Students who experience alterations feel unprepared to transition to practice. The findings can guide the training needed for PNSs before reentering clinical rotations or upon joining the workforce.