[Criteria valued in the nurse selection process in the health area of Lleida (Spain)].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the factors valued by persons taking part in the process of selecting and hiring university nursing graduates. An additional aim was to identify how the need for new specialties is evaluated.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out. From April 2005 to April 2006 we contacted all persons involved in the selection and hiring of nursing graduates in the health area of Lleida (Spain) and gave them a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included items on training, other aspects unrelated to training and issues related to the activation of new specialties.


RESULTS
Thirty-four persons involved in the selection and hiring process (89.5%) believed that the most important factor was the training profile. High scores were assigned to attitudes (6/6), competence in drug administration (5.8/6), and consideration of emotional, physical and personal care (5.7/6). Ninety percent of those interviewed agreed on the current need for the new law on specialties. All the specialties obtained a high score based on current need. The 2 most highly scored specialties were those already developed (mental health and midwifery).


CONCLUSIONS
The most highly valued aspect of training was attitudes. This finding should be kept in mind in the training of university nursing graduates. Competencies such as participation in teaching and directing or coordinating groups are insufficiently valued. The need to activate all the specialties is positively valued.
Torres-Puiggros
Joan
J
Escola Universitària d'Infermeria, Universitat de Lleida, Serveis Territorials Departament de Salut a Lleida, Lleida, España. Joan.Torres@infermeria.udl.cat
Torner-Benet
Teresa
T
Mirada-Masip
Glòria
G
D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018579:Patient Selection; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011634:Public Health; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires