From School to Work: Employer Perceptions of Nursing Skills

Abstract

Questions periodically arise regarding clinical competencies and students' ability to perform in the employment setting after graduating from a baccalaureate nursing (BSN) program. This article describes a collaborative project between a nurse administrator in an acute care facility and a nurse educator in a baccalaureate nursing program. The project was designed to evaluate whether expected competencies of BSN graduates were evident in the work setting. Skills and behaviors of BSN graduates were evaluated by 68 nurses in an acute care setting. The findings provide data for nurse administrators to assist with planning staff development and continuing education programs for nursing staff. The results also provide data for nurse educators to assist with evaluation of effectiveness of nursing programs.

Virtual Reality Simulation

“…2,5,13 In addition, the field of health-related sciences continues rapid development of new knowledge and computerized technology supporting patient care. 14 To provide a wide range of options for student learning resembling real-life practice without compromising patient care, innovative teaching strategies need to be explored and used.…”

Save the Date!!

“…Previous descriptive work 10,13,18,19 has shown that managing the care of multiple patients, making decisions about clinical priorities, and communicating with others in the care setting were areas in which new baccalaureate graduates express difficulty. Previous descriptive work 10,13,18,19 has shown that managing the care of multiple patients, making decisions about clinical priorities, and communicating with others in the care setting were areas in which new baccalaureate graduates express difficulty.…”

The Future of School Nursing

“…This means that it is preferable–in the absence of a full-time school nurse in every building every day–to hire bachelor’s prepared nurses rather than sacrificing quality with personnel who have technical or educational requirements less than those that would be obtained from a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Multiple research studies have shown that “baccalaureate graduates tend to be more self-directed and independent and more proficient in use of research, leadership, theoretical, conceptual, and psychosocial assessment skills” (Lowry, Timms, & Underwood, 2000, p. 81; National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice [NACNEP], 2010; Ellenbecker, 2010). Ultimately, this will produce better health and academic outcomes.…”