The training needs of health care support workers: results of a study of workers and their managers

Determinants of nursing competence of nursing students in Taiwan: the role of self-reflection and insight

BACKGROUND

A nursing practicum course is critical to strengthening the nursing competence of nursing students. Research has found that practice stress and coping behaviors can have either a negative or positive influence on the learning and practice performance of nursing students. Nevertheless, there are few evidence-based studies related to the relationship between self-reflection and insight and nursing competence in Taiwanese nursing students.

OBJECTIVE

To test the determinants and the effect of self-reflection and insight on nursing competence in nursing students during the first 2 months of their practice experience.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional and correlational research designs were employed.

METHODS

From September to November 2013, a total of 312 nursing students at a junior college in southern Taiwan served as participants in this study. Four questionnaires were used to collect data: Self-reflection and Insight Scale (SRIS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Coping Behavior Inventory (CBI), and Holistic Nursing Competence Scale (HNCS). The research model was evaluated through structural equation modeling (SEM), with the use of the partial least squares (PLS) method.

RESULTS

Results indicated that self-reflection and insight, practice stress, and practice coping behavior were statistically significantly associated with nursing competence. In addition, self-reflection and insight were significantly and positively associated with practice coping behavior and negatively associated with practice stress. Students' coping behavior partially mediates the effect of self-reflection and stress on nursing competence. Overall, these variables explained 39.4% of the variance in these students' nursing competence.

CONCLUSION

Self-reflection and insight affected nursing competence during the practice period. These variables have not only had a direct influence on nursing competence but also an indirect effect through the mediating effect of coping behavior and stress.

Implementing KSF competency testing in primary care. Part 2: Evaluation of the pilot of an appraisal tool

Assessment of competence is a way of measuring if staff are fit for purpose. Clinical competences, against which performance is measured, have been developed in a wide range of clinical settings in recent years (Department of Health (DH), 2008). Several trusts also operate an assessment centre in the recruitment and selection of staff, and these frequently involve competency testing in order to be certain that their new recruits are fit for their post. Agenda for Change (DH, 2004a) firmly links pay to the competences expressed in the Knowledge and Skills Framework (DH, 2004b; c) yet the KSF has not been implemented in all trusts. In part 1 of this article (Bentley and Dandy-Hughes, 2010), the process of Southwark PCT's competency project was described. This involved the process of writing measurable, manageable competences from the KSF, in order to develop staff to be fit for purpose. Part 2 evaluates the use of the appraisal tool that was developed from the KSF, and examines the role of the nurse consultant in education who led the competency project.