Exploring the Reasons for the Inadequate Clinical Competency in the Newly Graduated Nurses: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Aim: The most important mission of Healthcare systems is to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care. Manpower is the key pillar in achieving this goal. Studies show that newly graduated nurses do not have sufficient clinical competence to care for patients. This study aimed to explore the reasons for inadequate competence of newly graduated nurses. Method: The present study is a qualitative study. Participants in this study were 30 individuals, including nursing students, newly graduates nurses, nursing faculties, clinical nurses, nursing managers and deputies for the education of nursing schools who were selected by purposeful sampling method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The data collection continued to data saturation. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis in MAXQDA 10 software. Results: Three main categories emerged as reasons for the inadequate clinical competency in the newly graduated nurses i.e. inefficient mechanism of student recruitment, ineffective education, and gloomy outlook for the nursing profession. Conclusion: Training qualified clinical nurses is a dynamic process that requires enrolling the appropriate individuals, preparing a suitable infrastructure to train, training them effectively, providing in-service training, and providing the necessary motivation for professional development in the health care settings.