title: [Nurses' self-perception of nursing competence after completing a 2-year training program at a medical center].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Taiwan's Department of Health (DOH) promotes a standardized 2-year training program to raise the competence of newly certified nurses in the realms of patient care, nursing professionalism and communication skills as well as to ensure professional nurse training program quality.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated training program participants' self-perception of nursing competency.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a cross-sectional approach and structured questionnaire to evaluate the nursing competency of 128 nurse trainees at a medical center. Questionnaires were filled out independently by participants and thus reflect participant self-assessments of questionnaire items. Descriptive and correlation analyses further explored data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed: mean scores were 3.80 ± .60 for clinical technique; 3.78 ± .67 for administrative skill; and 3.21 ± .88 for educational and research skills . Nursing ability correlated significantly with age, seniority, nursing grade, and courses taken. The relationship between participant total score and program completion ratio formed a "V"-shaped distribution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The DOH training program was has a positive effect on nursing competency in nurse trainees. Results also provide valuable information and suggestions for revising the DOH's nurse training program in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Tri-Service General Hospital, ROC.
authors.forename: Mei-Jung
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shu-Hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ou
authors.forename: Ru-Wen
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Wen-Chii
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Tzeng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004506:Education, Nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009726:Nurses; D012649:Self Concept; D013624:Taiwan