The influence of 21st-century skills on clinical decision-making in nursing students: a cross-sectional study

Background

Nursing graduates need to make quick and effective decisions in clinical settings, and 21st-century skills are crucial in preparing them for this challenge.

Aim

This study aimed to examine the relationship between nursing students' 21st-century skills and their clinical decision-making levels.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted, assessing 21st-century skills and clinical decision-making using standardized instruments. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to explore relationships between variables.

Results

The findings showed that students tend to rely on intuition for decision-making. They rated their 21st-century skills as good. A weak but positive correlation was found between 21st-century skills and clinical decision-making (r = 0.24, p < 0.001). Gender, year of study, and 21st-century skills explained 9% of the variance in clinical decision-making.

Conclusion

While the development of 21st-century skills positively impacts clinical decision-making in nursing students, the effect is limited. These findings suggest that nursing education should focus on enhancing decision-making skills alongside 21st-century competencies to better prepare students for clinical practice.