title: Competence assessment of nursing graduates of Jordanian universities.
abstract: This cross-sectional survey assessed the level of competence of nursing graduates of Jordanian universities (2001-2004 cohorts) in relation to the type of university, sex, hospital type, and working area. A convenience sample (n = 258) of full-time nurses (6 months-4 years' experience) was selected from public, private, and teaching hospitals. A specifically designed tool with a rating scale of 1-5 was used to evaluate the nurses' competence in five nursing competencies (management, professionalism, problem-solving, nursing process, and knowledge of basic skills). The findings showed a satisfactory competency level with no significant differences related to the type of university or sex. General ward nurses scored significantly better than those in intensive care units in relation to management, professionalism, and nursing process, while the teaching hospital nurses showed significantly better performance in professionalism and management skills than did the nurses in the other two sectors. We recommend that nurse recruitment policies should consider individual competencies rather than innate characteristics in their selection of employees.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Jordan, Jordan. r.safadi@ju.edu.jo
authors.forename: Reema
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Safadi
authors.forename: Malak
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaradeh
authors.forename: Amal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bandak
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Froelicher
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D009736:Nursing Process; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012579:Schools, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires