title: Entry-level competencies needed by BSNs in acute health care agencies in Tennessee in the next 10 years.
abstract: This study focused on the identification of entry-level competencies needed by bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) graduates who will begin working in acute health care agencies in Tennessee within 10 years. The purpose of this study was to increase awareness of the competencies needed by graduates of BSN programs in Tennessee to meet the demands of acute health care agencies, considering current and anticipated changes in the healthcare delivery system. The opinions of nurse educators, nurse administrators, recent BSN graduates, and experienced BSN graduates were solicited to assess congruency of perceptions. This study found there was a statistically significant difference in the perceptions of nurses in acute health care agencies and faculty in BSN programs about the importance of entry-level competencies needed by BSN graduates.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, East Tennessee State University, Box 70658, Johnson Clty, TN 37614, USA. kingm@etsu.edu
authors.forename: Marjorie S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Patricia L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: L Lee
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Glenn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards*; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000600:supply & distribution; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D013714:Tennessee