Influences of Communication Skill and Interpersonal Ability on Clinical Competence of Nursing Students / 기본간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine the relationship between communication skill, interpersonal ability and clinical competence of nursing students, and to identify factors influencing clinical competence. METHODS: Research participants were 172 nursing students in the nursing departments of 3 universities located in G city and J province. The students had completed over 2 semesters of clinical practice. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression. RESULTS: Participants' scores for communication skill, interpersonal relationships and clinical competence were 3.81±0.42, 3.74±0.43 and 3.49±0.43 respectively. Communication skill, interpersonal relationships and clinical competence had positive correlations. Factors influencing nursing students' clinical competence included communication skill, interpersonal relationships, subjective health status and satisfaction with nursing as a major. These variables explained 40% of the variance in clinical competence. CONCLUSION: The findings show that development and application of educational programs to increase communication skill and interpersonal relationships are important and will improve nursing students' clinical competence.