RESUMO
PURPOSE: This study identifies the relation among the essentials of fundamental nursing skills performance (EFNSP), work capability and stress from work experienced by new clinical nurses. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study with a self-reported questionnaire. The subjects were 224 new clinical nurses employed by general hospitals having more than 400 beds. The data, collected from February 10 to March 7, 2014, were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANCOVA, Pearson's correlation analysis and hierarchical linear regression. RESULTS: The highest frequency of EFNSP of new clinical nurses was vital sign measurement (4.74, +/-.89) and the lowest frequency of performance was Basic CPR & defibrillator application (1.81, +/-.94). There were significant positive correlations between frequency and confidence of EFNSP (r=.64, p<.001), frequency and work capability (r=.34, p<.001), and confidence of EFNSP and work capability (r=.48, p<.001), but negative correlation stress from work and work capability (r=-.17, p=.009). General characteristics, stress from work, frequency and confidence in EFNSP and stress from work explain 25.1% of work capability. CONCLUSION: This result suggests the importance of EFNSP education in nursing schools and availability of opportunities to practice EFNSP during the post-graduation waiting period until assignment to a hospital.