Evaluating the competencies of undergraduate nursing students in clinical skills

Acquiring competence in clinical skills is one of the important goals of undergraduate nursing education. Assessing the achievement of this goal is the responsibility of nursing schools. In this regard, this study endeavored to determine the competencies of senior nursing students in clinical skills.

This descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the year 2017. The population was 56 senior nursing students who were selected through census method. Data collection instruments were clinical skills checklist adapted from reputable and up-to-date textbooks. The evaluation methods were Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS). Data were analyzed using independent t-test.

The results revealed that 76.75% of the senior nursing students had desirable and desirable competencies in clinical skills. Students scored the highest and lowest (81.66%) in the skill of inserting a urinary catheter and measuring vital signs (58.95%) None of the contextual variables had a significant relationship with students' competence in clinical skills (P>0/05)

Insufficient competence in intramuscular injection can be due to insufficient exposure of students to the method during internships. Students' lack of competence in measuring vital signs and subcutaneous injections, which are repetitive skills, requires serious consideration.