Abstract
Research Topic: Readiness to practice – Can readiness be measured?
Research Question: Can the readiness of fourth year BSc Nursing students entering practice on acute medical units be measured?
Background: The Canadian Registered Nurses Exam has been described as only assessing knowledge but not necessarily confidence and readiness of students to enter the workplace. This presents a background for this research. Readiness to practice – Can readiness be measured?
Objectives: To measure the readiness of BSc Nursing final year students on their readiness to enter into practice.
Study Design: The study will adopt a qualitative design to measure the readiness of students to enter and practice in the nursing field.
Current Stage of Study: The research has reached the data analysis step. The literature review has been undertaken by all group members of the group to get insight about the readiness of students to enter practice and the measurability of the phenomenon. Survey questions were developed and the survey issued to 20 students who gave their response. The data was then analyzed.
Methods: The research adopted a qualitative methodological approach. Its design is based on a survey consisting of 10 questions answerable on a five point Likert scale administered to 20 students. The analysis of the data collected is analyzed using measures of central tendency such as mean, standard deviation, variance, mean, and confidence intervals.
Limitations: The proposal encountered a number of limitations including the sample size and variety, number of questions, and a minimalistic validity.
Conclusion: The students are ready to enter into practice as they score highly in the scale of performance. It is notable that the students were indifferent as regard to reporting of errors they or their colleagues commit. The curriculum should look into ways of increasing this confidence.
