FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PERCEIVED COMPETENCE LEVELS OF GRADUATING SENIORS IN A BACCALAUREATE NURSING PROGRAM

Factors hypothesized to affect perceived competency levels of graduati ng seniors were examined in three classes from a BSN program in a larg e southeastern university (N=204). Although externship participation w as unrelated to perceived competency, employment in a health care sett ing during the nursing program was positively related. Trait anxiety a nd social support were also significantly related to competency. A per vasive theme in both quantitative and qualitative data was students' d esire for more practice of technical skills. Students also expressed t he desire for more positive feedback from faculty. There are a number of implications of these findings, including curricular modifications, identification and intervention with highly anxious students, and inc reased faculty caring and support. Given the rigor of the professional nursing role, we owe it to our graduates to send them into the work a rena with a healthy sense of self-confidence.