Influences of Communication Skill and Interpersonal Ability on Clinical Competence of Nursing Students

Yang, Ya Ki

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to examine the relationship between communication skill, interpersonal ability and clinical competence of nursing students, and to identify factors influencing clinical competence.
METHODS
Research participants were 172 nursing students in the nursing departments of 3 universities located in G city and J province. The students had completed over 2 semesters of clinical practice. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression.
RESULTS
Participants' scores for communication skill, interpersonal relationships and clinical competence were 3.81±0.42, 3.74±0.43 and 3.49±0.43 respectively. Communication skill, interpersonal relationships and clinical competence had positive correlations. Factors influencing nursing students' clinical competence included communication skill, interpersonal relationships, subjective health status and satisfaction with nursing as a major. These variables explained 40% of the variance in clinical competence.
CONCLUSION
The findings show that development and application of educational programs to increase communication skill and interpersonal relationships are important and will improve nursing students' clinical competence.