Structural Validity and Internal Consistency of the Professional Nurse Self-Assessment A-Scale (II) for Measuring Clinical Competence Among Graduating Nordic Nursing Students.

Abstract

Aim: To test the structural validity and internal consistency of one (A-scale) of the two Professional Nurse Self-Assessment Scale II (ProffNurse SAS II) scales among graduating Nordic nursing students with the goal of assessing their psychometric properties when used separately.

Design: This study employed an explorative factor analyses to validate the ProffNurse SAS II A-scale items (n = 50) (self-assessed clinical competence).

Methods: The data were analyzed using jamovi Version 2.3.21. The suitability of the data for the planned analyses was assessed using established criteria for good model fit prior to conducting statistical tests. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to examine the underlying structure of one of the two scales, given its application in a new population and the lack of prior confirmation of its factor structure within this specific context. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha.

Data sources: Convenience sampling was used to select the participants among graduating nursing students in five Nordic countries. Data collection was made digitally during 2021-2022. A total of 274 graduating nursing students from five Nordic countries and 12 different universities completed the ProffNurse SAS II A-scale holding 50 items in local languages.

Results: EFA and parallel analysis elicited a five-factor solution accounting for 52.14% of variance in scores. Internal consistency reliability was supported with Cronbach's alpha of 0.960 for the ProffNurse SAS II A-scale. The five factors were named Direct Clinical Practice (1), Ethical and Collaborative Practice (2); Pharmaceutical Practice (3); Digital Coaching and Guidance (4); and Development and Leadership (5). The A-scale with a reduced number of items (from 50 to 44 items) showed proper structural validity and internal consistency for measuring self-assessed clinical competence and needs for further training among graduating nursing students.

Conclusions: The scale supports the study's theoretical framework and competencies of the graduating nursing students.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care: Self-assessment supports evidence-based practice and nursing education, and the ProffNurse SAS II A-scale offers a valid tool for measuring clinical competence among graduating students.

Reporting method: The STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies was adhered to, as well as the COSMIN reporting guideline.

Patient or public contribution: Graduating nursing students from five Nordic countries contributed to the study by answering the questionnaire.