CME Journal of Medical Microbiology
ISSN: 3070-3638 | DOI: 10.64030/3070-3638
Magdalena Brodowicz-Krol
Background: In nursing education, considerable importance is attached to monitoring acquired skills that enable a holistic approach to patient care. The development of holistic competencies is defined as an enhancement of professionalism in nursing education.
Aim: To assess the development of holistic competencies during academic education among undergraduate nursing students
Material and methods: The study was conducted among nursing students at the Medical University of Lublin. The respondents were aged 19–37 years. The research method applied in the study was a diagnostic survey. The research tool used was the Holistic Nursing Competence Scale (HNCS). The scale consists of two subscales and contains a total of 36 statements. A database was created and statistical analyses were performed using Statistica 9.1 software (StatSoft, Poland). Ethical considerations: The research project received a positive opinion from the Bioethics Committee of the Medical University of Lublin, approval no. KE-0254/112/2014.
Findings: The holistic competencies of the surveyed students reached moderate levels. In the area of ethical orientation to practice, a statistically significant difference was observed between subsequent years of study (p < 0.001): the higher the year of study, the lower the values of these competencies. Sociodemographic variables (age) did not correlate with nursing holistic competencies or with the development of professional competencies. Analysis of the regression model indicates that team nursing care has a beneficial effect on professional development.
Conclusion: The conducted study is an original project illustrating the development of holistic competencies among nursing students in relation to the stage of education. The results allow the conclusion that nursing students achieved moderate levels of holistic competencies.