The professional competence of newly graduated nurses in the transition phase as assessed by nurse managers: a descriptive cross-sectional multi-national study

Abstract

Background: Nurse managers' (NMs) assessment of nurses' competences is needed to analyse how well the educational preparation corresponds with the requirements of nursing practice in Europe.

Aim: To assess newly graduated nurses' professional competence in the transition phase as perceived by NMs and to identify possible background factors related to their assessments.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional multinational study. Data were collected in 2019 from NMs (n = 425) in Finland, Germany, Iceland, Lithuania and Spain using the structured Nurse Competence Scale and statistically analysed.

Results: NMs assessed the level of newly graduated nurses' competence as 'good'. However, the overall competence varied between different countries. In all countries, the subcategory 'Managing situations' scored the highest and 'Therapeutic interventions' the lowest. NMs' background factors were related to their assessment.

Conclusions: Newly graduated nurses were assessed to have a good level of professional competence to meet the demands of their work in the transition phase, although there is room for improvement. The results can be used for cooperation between working life and nursing education to identify areas where the professional competence of newly qualified nurses can be improved and to promote their transition and continuous professional development in Europe.

Keywords: newly graduated nurse; nurse manager; professional competence; transition phase.