Survey on specific nursing competences: Students' perceptions

The nursing profession requires sophisticated interdisciplinary knowledge and skills, which is why numerous nursing curricula are being developed all across the world. The aim of the study was to assess students' perspectives about competences, defined by the Tuning project, they acquired and developed since enrolment in the undergraduate nursing study programme.

A survey was performed amongst 69 postgraduate Master degree students at the Faculty of Health Sciences University of Maribor, Slovenia (nursing graduates) and the research results were analysed using conventional statistical and correspondence analysis.

Most of the participants felt that they are more competent in their awareness of different roles, responsibilities and functions of a nurse together with the ability to practice within the context of professional, ethical, regulatory and legal codes. However they felt less competent in leadership, management, and team competences.

According to the students' perceptions the current Nursing curriculum should be more future oriented and needs some core changes regarding the scope and level competences taught.