Comparison of expected and evidenced baccalaureate degree competencies

The defining of beginning competencies for the baccalaureate degree in nursing education has been an issue over the past decade. Many researchers have attempted to investigate the performance of graduates of the basic nursing preparation programs. At present, there is little that links education to practice. The purposes of this study were to validate whether the competencies of graduates of baccalaureate degree nursing programs were as expected by nursing service administrators, and whether the expected competencies were evidenced in the work setting. A two-part questionnaire was administered to 142 directors of nursing in health-care settings in Mississippi. The research project requested an evaluation of the baccalaureate competency statement from two perspectives. On a five-point Likert scale, administrators were asked to evaluate if the competency should be expected of a baccalaureate graduate. The administrators then evaluated to what extent the competency statement was evidenced. Analysis of the data was done using descriptive statistics. A mean for each competency was calculated for expected and evidenced responses. A difference of 30% between the expected and evidenced responses was deemed to be significant. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations for further study made.