Abstract
Introduction: Clinical competence refers to skills nurses require to provide safe care in a manner that reflects on the larger perspective of the patient and the ability to accurately assess and critically think through the best options for care using evidence-based practice. Without these skills, nurses would not be able to provide safe care, posing a risk of malpractice and increased lawsuits due to medical negligence.
Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the factors contributing to clinical competence among newly graduated professional nurses, and describe recommendations that may be used to promote and sustain newly graduated professional nurses’ clinical competence.
Research design and methods: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used to explore the factors contributing to the clinical competence of newly graduated professional nurses in a public hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. Recommendations were also provided on how the clinical competence of newly graduated professional nurses can be improved. The study’s population was newly graduated professional nurses in their first year of community service in a public hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. Purposive sampling was used to select the sample for the study. The researcher conducted in-depth, online, individual interviews through Zoom® to collect data until data saturation was reached with participant seven. The online, individual interviews were audio-recorded while the researcher wrote field notes. Tesch’s method was employed in analysing the data. Trustworthiness was ensured using the criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. The researcher also applied the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice to protect participants’ human rights throughout the research process.
Findings: The study’s findings are articulated in four themes: Theme 1: Shortage of resources. Theme 2: Lack of support from management. Theme 3: Difficulty in adapting to the new role as a newly graduated professional nurse. Theme 4: Differences in policies and procedures. Recommendations to improve and sustain clinical competence among newly graduated nurses were developed. The study’s strategies, limitations and conclusions with regard to nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research were also presented.