A collaborative approach to developing nursing skills to meet service needs.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Management
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Assessing the skills of beginning registered nurses (BRNs) is crucial for ensuring patient safety and effective healthcare delivery.
• Understanding the perceptions of both BRNs and Nursing Unit Managers (NUMs) regarding skill utilization is vital for bridging educational and practice gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perceptions of BRNs and NUMs regarding the skills utilized by BRNs within their initial six months of practice.
• To identify discrepancies in skill perception between BRNs and NUMs and their impact on nursing education and clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 71 BRNs and 9 Nursing Unit Managers (NUMs).
• BRNs self-assessed their preparedness across various skills based on teaching methods: theory/lectures, nursing laboratories, and clinical experience.

Main Results:

• A high percentage (95%+) of BRNs perceived 21 specific skills (medication/fluid administration, skin/wound care) as utilized within the first six months.
• There was a 52.4% agreement in skill perception between BRNs and NUMs.
• Significant differences in skill perception were identified between the two groups.

Conclusions:

• Discrepancies in skill perception necessitate adjustments in nursing curricula and enhanced focus on critical skills assessment for BRNs.
• Managers are implementing strategies to improve NUMs' awareness of perception differences and enhance clinical interpretation skills.
• Collaborative efforts among academics, educators, managers, and nurses are essential for improving the early practice experience of BRNs.