Manifestation of Nursing Competencies of the Graduates of the University of Cebu-Banilad

Abstract

One of the provisions of the CMO stipulates that the graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program must be able to apply analytical and critical thinking in the nursing practice. The nurse must be competent in the various key areas of responsibility and its respective core competency standards and indicators. The main purpose of this investigation is to determine the manifestation of core nursing competencies among the students taking Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Specifically, it seeks to determine the profile of the respondents (age, gender, civil status, year level) and the manifestation of competencies. This study utilized the descriptive-survey research design with the usage of researcher-design tool to gather data on the profile and manifestation of core nursing competencies as stipulated in the CHED Memorandum Order No. 14. The study was conducted at the College of Nursing of the University of Cebu-Banilad. Using purposive sampling method, there were two hundred (n=232) respondents who were nursing students. To analyze the data, simple percentage was used for the profile of the respondents and weighted mean to analyze the data in the determination of the manifestation of the core nursing competencies.

The results show that majority of the respondents belonged to the age bracket of 18-22 years old, female, single, and at the 3rd year level. Further, the respondents highly practiced the following: application of physical and social, natural, health science and humanities; performing safe, appropriate, and holistic care to individuals, families, population groups, and community utilizing nursing process; application of guidelines and principles of evidence-based practice in the delivery of care; practice nursing in accordance with existing laws, legal, ethical, and moral principles; effective communication in speaking, writing and presentation  using culturally-appropriate language; reporting/documenting client care accurately and comprehensively; collaborating effectively with inter, intra, and multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams; practice beginning management and leadership skills using systems approach in the delivery of client care; conduct research with experienced researchers; engaging in lifelong learning with a passion to keep current with national and global developments in general, nursing and health development in particular; demonstrating responsible citizenship and pride of being a Filipino; apply techno-intelligent care systems and processes in health care delivery; uphold the nursing core values in the practice of the profession, and applying entrepreneurial skills in the delivery of nursing care.

The nursing students of the university manifested the expected nursing competencies. These competencies are very significant for their development to become professional nurses and to be a great provider of health care services to the clients or patient in any healthcare facilities in the country and abroad.  In the light of the findings it is of primordial importance that the nursing competency should be integrated in all the syllabus in the professional subjects in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum to ensure maximum result in embedding the nursing core competencies to the students. Aside from that it is also important that the clinical instructors should also include the appropriate and applicable competency during demonstration in the related learning activities and community health nursing, so that they can have a real-life experience in manifesting and practice the nursing competencies.