Table 6 Students with high clinical competence vs low clinical competence (independent sample t-test)
From: Development of clinical competence – a longitudinal survey of nurse practitioner students
| Item no. | Item | Group | Baseline Mean (SD) | Follow-up Mean (SD) | Difference Mean | Ceiling effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | I am independently responsible for health assessment (systematic physical examination), examinations and treatment of patients with uncomplicated medical conditions | High clinical competence | 7.75 (1.71) | 8.50 (1.09) | 0.75⁎ | No |
| Low clinical competence | 5.42 (1.68) | 8.17 (0.94) | 2.75⁎ | |||
| 3 | I plan and prioritise nursing and medical interventions | High clinical competence | 7.75 (0.75) | 8.58 (1.08) | 0.83⁎ | No |
| Low clinical competence | 5.58 (1.51) | 8.00 (1.35) | 2.42⁎ | |||
| 4 | I identify patients’ health problems | High clinical competence | 7.92 (1.17) | 8.67 (1.16) | 0.75⁎ | No |
| Low clinical competence | 6.42 (1.51) | 8.33 (0.99) | 1.91⁎ | |||
| 9 | I apply both subjective and objective methods when examining, treating and caring for patients | High clinical competence | 7.75 (0.87) | 8.92 (1.17) | 1.17⁎ | No |
| Low clinical competence | 5.25 (1.36) | 8.08 (1.08) | 2.83⁎ | |||
| 12 | I identify changes in patients’ health and medical conditions | High clinical competence | 7.92 (1.17) | 8.75 (0.87) | 0.83⁎ | No |
| Low clinical competence | 5.58 (2.35) | 8.67 (0.65) | 3.09⁎ | |||
| 13 | I develop and administer health-promoting and illness-preventive actions for patients | High clinical competence | 7.00 (1.35) | 8.67 (0.89) | 1.67⁎ | No |
| Low clinical competence | 4.09 (2.12) | 7.73 (1.27) a | 3.64⁎ | |||
| 14 | I systematically gather information from each patient about her/his health resources | High clinical competence | 6.73 (1.85) | 8.64 (1.29) a | 1.91⁎ | No |
| Low clinical competence | 4.25 (1.55) | 8.08 (1.00) | 3.83⁎ | |||
| 20 | I am actively responsible for my own professional development | High clinical competence | 9.33 (0.89) | 9.50 (0.80) | 0.17⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 7.17 (2.04) | 8.92 (0.90) | 1.75⁎ | |||
| 21 | I take patients’ mental health needs (mood swings, feelings of hopelessness, depression, etc.) into account when assessing and planning for the health and life situation of patients | High clinical competence | 8.33 (1.07) | 8.75 (1.01) | 0.42⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 6.42 (1.62) | 8.25 (1.06) | 1.83⁎ | |||
| 22 | I take patients’ spiritual health needs (feelings of meaninglessness, existential needs, beliefs, fear of death, etc.) into account when assessing and planning for the health and life situation of patients | High clinical competence | 8.08 (1.56) | 8.00 (1.54) | −0.08⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 5.67 (1.83) | 7.83 (1.03) | 2.16⁎ | |||
| 23 | I take patients’ physical health needs (illness, pain, disabilities, etc.) into account when assessing and planning for the health and life situation of patients | High clinical competence | 8.92 (0.90) | 9.08 (0.79) | 0.16⁎⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 6.75 (1.14) | 8.58 (0.79) | 1.83⁎⁎ | |||
| 24 | I act ethically when caring for patients | High clinical competence | 8.83 (0.84) | 9.17 (0.84) | 0.33⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 6.83 (1.80) | 8.83 (0.72) | 2.00⁎ | |||
| 25 | I identify and assume responsibility for patients’ own health resources in planning nursing care | High clinical competence | 8.08 (1.44) | 8.33 (1.07) | 0.25⁎⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 5.33 (1.72) | 8.42 (1.00) | 3.08⁎⁎ | |||
| 26 | I take patients’ social health needs (leisure activities, friends, financial situation, etc.) into account when assessing and planning for the health and life situation of patients | High clinical competence | 7.55 (1.44) | 8.18 (1.33) a | 0.63⁎ | No |
| Low clinical competence | 4.58 (1.93) | 7.42 (1.17) | 2.83⁎ | |||
| 27 | I support and guide patients in mastering their illnesses and health problems | High clinical competence | 8.50 (1.09) | 8.42 (1.08) | −0.08⁎⁎2.67⁎⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 5.50 (1.83) | 8.17 (0.72) | ||||
| 30 | I put emphasis on patients’ own wishes when assessing and planning for nursing care and medical treatment | High clinical competence | 8.50 (1.73) | 9.00 (0.85) | 0.50⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 6.08 (2.11) | 8.50 (1.00) | 2.42⁎ | |||
| 32 | I take full responsibility for my own actions | High clinical competence | 9.17 (0.94) | 9.25 (1.14) | 0.08⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 8.00 (1.71) | 9.25 (1.06) | 1.25⁎ | |||
| 34 | I understand the consequences my decisions may have for patients | High clinical competence | 8.67 (1.16) | 9.17 (0.94) | 0.5⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 7.17 (1.47) | 9.00 (0.95) | 1.83⁎ | |||
| 37 | I consult other professional experts when required | High clinical competence | 9.42 (0.79) | 9.25 (0.97) | −0.17⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 7.17 (2.25) | 9.00 (0.96) | 1.83⁎ | |||
| 38 | I cooperate actively with other health professionals when coordinating patients’ nursing, care and treatment | High clinical competence | 9.25 (0.87) | 9.08 (0.90) | −0.17⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 7.33 (2.02) | 9.00 (1.04) | 1.67⁎ | |||
| 39 | I am cognisant of when my medical knowledge is insufficient when assessing patients’ health conditions | High clinical competence | 9.58 (0.67) | 9.25 (0.75) | −0.33⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 8.17 (1.47) | 9.17 (0.58) | 1.00⁎ | |||
| 41 | I reflect on my actions | High clinical competence | 9.00 (0.74) | 9.08 (1.08) | 0.08⁎ | Yes |
| Low clinical competence | 7.25 (2.09) | 9.00 (0.74) | 1.75⁎ |