Competence of Novice Nurses to Enter Nursing Practice as Perceived by Ward Incharges

Competence of novice nurses may vary and it affects the quality of nursing care provided by them. The present study was conducted to find the competence of novice nurses to enter nursing practice as perceived by ward incharges of selected hospitals. Theoretical framework of the study is based on Patricia Benner’s theory Novice to Expert. Quantitative research approach with descriptive design was used for the study. The sample comprised of 120 ward incharges from selected hospitals. The tool used was a scale to find the competence of novice nurses as rated by ward incharges. The study revealed that ward incharges perceived novice nurses to be fairly competent to care for 2 - 3 patients and only a few were competent to care for 4 - 5 patients at a time. Majority of novice nurses were competent in basic hygienic care, vital sign assessment, oral medication, IV push, GRBS, pulse oximetry and oxygen administration via mask, Ryle’s tube insertion, feeding and its removal, urinary bladder catheterisation and catheter care, infected wound dressing, suture removal, and drain removal. Few novice nurses were not competent in basic hygienic care, vital sign assessment, IM injection, blood draw/ venipuncture, Ryle’s tube feeding and its removal, and catheter care. The competency of novice nurses was least in colostomy care followed by Ryle’s tube insertion, infected wound dressing, urinary bladder catheterisation, drain and suture removal.