A Cross-Sectional Study: What Contributes to Nursing Students' Clinical Reasoning Competence?

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Clinical Reasoning
• Healthcare Professional Development

Background:

• Clinical reasoning is essential for nurses managing complex patient situations.
• Understanding factors influencing clinical reasoning aids nursing education.
• This study addresses the need to identify key developmental factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine factors associated with clinical reasoning competence in undergraduate nursing students.
• To identify specific problem-solving abilities and self-efficacy aspects impacting clinical reasoning.
• To explore the role of clinical practicum stress on nursing students' competence.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 206 senior nursing students.
• Utilized self-reported measures for clinical reasoning, problem-solving, academic self-efficacy, and practicum stress.
• Analyzed data using Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression.

Main Results:

• Higher problem-solving abilities and academic self-efficacy correlated with better clinical reasoning.
• Lower clinical practicum stress was associated with enhanced clinical reasoning competence.
• Younger age and specific problem-solving skills (clarification, alternative solutions, implementation, self-regulated efficacy) were significant predictors.

Conclusions:

• Problem-solving skills, academic self-efficacy, and managing practicum stress are crucial for nursing students' clinical reasoning.
• Curriculum development should focus on these identified factors to foster professional nursing competence.
• Interventions targeting these areas can improve nursing education and patient care outcomes.