Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the opinions and professional competencies of nursing students regarding their education during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic process in Northern Cyprus.
Methods and Materials: This research was designed as a cross-sectional and descriptive study. The population of the study consisted of third and fourth year students (N=282) who were studying in the Faculty of Nursing of a University in Northern Cyprus in the spring term of 2021-2022 and doing clinical practice, and the sample was 260 students who agreed to participate in this study. Data were collected online between 18.03.2022 and 25.05.2022 via Personal Information Form for nursing students, Data Collection Form on Nursing Education in the Process of Covid-19 Pandemic and Nursing Students Competency Scale. The data were evaluated using the SPSS Statistics 22 program and analyzed with descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, percentage calculation, and One-Way Analysis of Variance, Kruskal-Wallis H and Independent Groups T Test.
Results: It was determined that the majority of the nursing students included in the study were between the ages of 22-23 (57.3%), female (57.7%), and Turkish nationals (79.2%). It was determined that the students had negative thoughts about theoretical (42.6%) and applied (51.9%) nursing education. It was determined that there was a good level of competency with a total score average of 242.10±46.17 obtained from the nursing students competency scale.
The students got the highest mean score of the scale from ethics and responsibility, and the lowest mean score from the sub-dimension of critical thinking and reasoning. While there was a significant difference between the total mean score of the Nursing Competency Scale and the grade level of the students, there was no significant difference in terms of age, high school type, work experience and field.
Conclusion and recommendations: It is recommended that all students who continue their education and training during the pandemic should develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills before graduation, and evaluate their competence levels with the cooperation of the school and hospital after graduation and eliminate the educational deficiencies.
KeywordsClinical practice; Competence; Covid-19; Nursing; Education
Published Date: 2023-08-31; Received Date: 2023-08-01
