Developing a competency profile for newly graduated registered nurses in South Africa

Abstract

Background Newly graduated registered nurses experience various challenges when entering the clinical practice environment. Typical challenges include lack of specific knowledge, skills and attitude competencies which is aggravated further by factors such as transition problems, workloads, lack of confidence and independence which potentially causes poor quality care. The aim of the study was to develop a competency profile for newly graudated registered nures, based on the perceptions of both nurse educators and final-year nursing students regarding the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to deliver quality patient care in South Africa. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was used. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 42 participants consisting of 23 nurse educators and 19 final-year nursing students at three nursing education institutions. The interviews were guided by an interview guide that examined three predetermined themes: knowledge, skills and attitudes as competencies to deliver quality patient care. Data were processed using thematic analysis. Results The predetermined theme knowledge, was broken down into themes: theoretical knowledge, holistic care, cultural diversity and code of conduct, with its relating sub-themes. The predetermined theme skills delivered the following themes: interpersonal, management, administrative, practical and personal skills with its sub-themes. Attitudes unpacked into the following themes: being positive, caring, humble, friendly, empathetic, life-long learning, going the extra mile, compassionate, having passion, approachable, sensitive, helpful, and non-judgemental. Conclusions Rich, in-depth knowledge, skills and attitudes were identified to develop a competency profile that may assist newly graduated registered nurses when entering the clinical practice environment to deliver quality patient care.

Psychometric evaluation of a nursing competence assessment tool among nursing students: a development and validation study

“…Here, nursing students with global visions might have the necessary capabilities to face the challenges of emerging global conditions with an awareness of shared values and belonging to a common social and cultural space [ 34 ]. Life-long learning, recognised as a necessity for the development of the nursing profession [ 35 , 36 ], is an important attitude of competency for newly graduated registered nurses [ 37 ]. With the advancement of health-related science and technology and the discovery of new diseases, we expect students to actively search for knowledge and understanding and to use these to meet their professional lifetime needs.…”

The holistic nursing competence and transition shock of newly graduated nurses as the determinants of missed nursing care: The mediation analysis

“…A competent nurse possesses these qualities and the motivation to use those in order to provide effective and quality patient care (Takase & Teraoka, 2011). It has been reported that competence is related to many difficulties experienced by newly graduated nurses during transition shock (Rabie et al, 2020).…”

“…Competence could be claimed as a contributor to these difficulties experienced by newly graduated nurses during the transition shock (Chen et al, 2021;Rabie et al, 2020). Responsibilities exceeding competence cause newly graduated nurses to feel inadequate, uncomfortable, unprepared and unsure while performing the job (Labrague et al, 2019;Walker et al, 2017) and fear making mistakes and harming the patient (Al Awaisi et al, 2015;Hawkins et al, 2019;Willman et al, 2021).…”

Initiative provides aid and education to Liberian nurses

“…8 Enhanced education gives nurses increased confidence in not just practical skills but also interpersonal and management skills. 10 In addition, increased education empowers nurses to make changes to improve the health of patients and families and strengthen healthcare organizations and systems. 1 Some of the goals of global nursing are to increase effective nurse-led symptoms of diabetes and hypoglycemia, documentation, therapeutic communication techniques, and patient safety.…”

“…Nurses need advanced clinical and critical thinking skills to manage complex care situations 8. Enhanced education gives nurses increased confidence in not just practical skills but also interpersonal and management skills 10. In addition, increased education empowers nurses to make changes to improve the health of patients and families and strengthen healthcare organizations and systems 1…”