Competency Preparedness: Perceptions of Graduate Nurse Interns of a JCI Accredited Hospital in Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

The competency preparedness perceived by the graduate nurse interns when they are recruited in the hospital for practice is an important aspect to be explored. The study was an initiative to bridge the gap between theory and practice. This feedback will inform the academics need to improve their program outcome. On the other hand, this can be considered as the need for the fresh nursing graduates so that the appropriate orientation program and further training programs can be formulated accordingly. The aim of the study is to identify the perceptions of fresh graduate nurses in rating their own skill level in specific competencies in a range of nursing practice on entry The “New graduate Nurse Performance survey” tool was used to collect data, which was taken from one of the (JCIA ) Joint commission international accredited hospital in Tamil Nadu, India. The participants are 30 fresh graduates, who have been recruited and are posted in general medical and surgical units. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. It revealed that overall, they feel competent, however, the level of competency preparedness perception ranges between 20% to 80% regarding knowledge of pathophysiology of patient conditions, knowledge of pharmacological implications of medications, interpretation of physician and inter professional orders, compliance with legal / regulatory issues relevant to nursing practice. 34.3% of the Graduate nurse intern reported that they tend to agree that they have good technical skills and 2.9% strongly agree that have adequate technical skills. It is recommended that the academic institutions focus on the areas which is mentioned by the graduate nurse interns as being deficient. This can guide the academicians so that, the future batches of the graduates can be benefited by being practice ready.