In-service educational learning factors related to nursing competence among new nurses

Abstract

Background

To provide quality patient care, nurses are required to actively learn and improve their nursing competence.

Aim

This study examined the impact of nurses’ learning factors related to in-service education on nursing competence, targeting nurses with up to five years of clinical experience working in hospitals.

Methods

Questionnaires were mailed to qualified nurses working in two areas of Japan. Data from 177 responses with no missing values for the dependent and independent variables were analysed. The survey items included the Clinical Nursing Competence Self-Assessment Scale (CNCSS), Learning Scale on In-service Education for Nurses, demographic factors such as age and career self-reliance, and institutional environmental factors such as number of beds in the hospital where they work.

Findings

Among the three concepts in the CNCSS, “fundamental in nursing practice” had the highest average score, and “personal and professional development” had the lowest average score. Of the nurses’ learning factors, “acquisition of basic nursing” and “self-growth as a person” had the highest and lowest mean scores, respectively. Nurses’ total learning scores were significantly associated with nursing competence — the higher the learning score, the higher the CNCSS score. Moreover, the scores for “acquisition of autonomy as a nursing professional” and “self-growth as a person” in nurses’ in-service education learning showed a significant positive relationship with nursing competence.

Conclusion

Hospitals need to devise educational programs and train educators to improve the autonomy of nurses and encourage their growth as a person.