J Korean Acad Soc Nurs Educ.  2021 Nov;27(4):402-411. 10.5977/jkasne.2021.27.4.402.

Nursing students’ confidence in clinical competency and job readiness during the COVID-19 pandemic era

Affiliations
  • 1Professor, College of Nursing·The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University
  • 2Professor, College of Nursing·The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Jeonbuk National University
  • 3Professor emerita, Department of Nursing, Kangwon National University
  • 4Professor, College of Nursing·Health and Nursing Research Institute, Jeju National University
  • 5Doctoral student, College of Nursing, Seoul National University

Abstract

Purpose
This study explored nursing students’ experiences of attending clinical practicum courses in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic era, focusing on their confidence in clinical competency and job readiness.
Methods
The data for this study were collected using online questionnaires that were uploaded to a free online survey website and distributed via a link to the survey to 334 nursing students attending four-year nursing colleges at four national universities. Data analysis was done with descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and ANOVA.
Results
The participants were mostly female (83.2%) college seniors (78.1%). About 60% of the participants practiced between 40% to 100% of their clinical practicum hours in alternative ways. Almost a third of the participants reported that they were not ready for a job (30.2%). However, participants’ confidence in clinical competency and job readiness was not related to the rate of alternative practice, but rather to both achievement of educational outcomes and satisfaction in the nursing practicum.
Conclusion
Due to COVID-19, it is evident that effective and efficient materials and ways of delivering clinical courses are constantly to be sought and developed. In particular, recently graduated nurses who experienced abrupt and considerable alterations in their clinical practicum courses due to COVID-19 are in need of attention while they strive to make clinical adaptations.

Keyword

COVID-19, Students, Nursing, Clinical competence, Employment; 코로나19, 간호학생, 임상수행능력, 취업
Full Text Links
  • JKASNE
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr