Multivariate data analysis: Validation of an instrument for the evaluation of teaching digital competence.

Background: Technology plays a fundamental role to achieve higher education key learning objectives. Digital competence (DC) is defined as a set of skills, knowledge, abilities, and attitudes in technological aspects. It is necessary to employ an effective training action plan in higher education institutions to advance towards a level of teaching digital competence (TDC). The objective of this study was to validate the COMDID A instrument to assess Teaching Digital Competence (TDC) of active teachers, through a confirmatory factor and internal reliability analysis. Methods: The research was developed within a descriptive-correlational scope and a non-experimental-cross-sectional design to validate the dimensionality and reliability of the COMDID A instrument and evaluate the self-perceived digital competence of active teachers. The population was made up of 690 professors who were part of the teaching staff of the National University of Chimborazo, Ecuador, in the first academic period of the year 2021. The sample was probabilistic, in a simple random scheme, the percentage of potential error admitted was 3%. The representativeness of the sample was 50%, and the confidence level was 97%. A total of 511 teachers completed the questionnaire compared to the 452 individuals needed. Results: The instrument was robust, and it was reliable for the calculated sample. There were correlations between the variables, and the statistical calculation ensured the development of the multivariate analysis to validate the dimensionality of the instrument. Moreover, the correct dimensionality was determined through a confirmatory analysis and high reliability of the instrument. Conclusions: The calculated factorial scores were defined in order for further studies to be carried out. It is important to apply confirmatory factor analysis in educational technology research to validate the dimensionality of data collection instruments.

Experiencia de inserción laboralde los profesionales de enfermería noveles / Experience on the incorporation of novel nursing professionals into the work force or professional integration

Objetivo: analizar el proceso de inserción laboral a partir de la realizaciónde entrevistas a un grupo de profesionales enfermeros recién graduados, almes y a los tres meses de su primera experiencia profesional.Material y método: estudio descriptivo longitudinal mediante entrevista semiestructuradasobre profesionales enfermeros que habían iniciado su actividadprofesional en el hospital de Tortosa Verge de la Cinta (HTVC) durantelos meses de verano de 2007 (n = 12). Para cuantificar la percepcióny evolución del grado de seguridad sobre las competencias enfermeras delinstrumento COM_VA© (4,5) y del grado de estrés se utilizó una escala tipoLikert.Resultados: el grado de estrés profesional obtuvo una media de 3,75 al inicioy de 3,1 a los tres meses de incorporación en el ámbito laboral. Los cuatroprofesionales que tuvieron un incremento del estrés lo atribuyeron a serpolivalente, cambio de unidad, sobrecarga de trabajo y mayor conciencia deresponsabilidad. Respecto a la evolución en el grado de seguridad percibidaen las competencias enfermeras del instrumento COM_VA© fue positivaen todas las competencias, siendo la competencia peor evaluada “valorar,diagnosticar situaciones cambiantes” y la mejor evaluada: “el trabajo enequipo”.Conclusiones: el nivel de estrés va disminuyendo con el paso del tiempo,el grado de seguridad en las diferentes competencias enfermeras va aumentandocon la experiencia. Se considera positivo el tener un tutor. Los profesionalesque no han tenido tutor manifiestan haber recibido el apoyo quenecesitaban de sus compañeras más expertas. Se destaca el papel de lasprácticas como preparación a la inserción y se valora la experiencia de lainserción como positiva (AU)

Objective: to analyse the professional integration process from the informationderived from interviews conducted in a group of newly graduated nursingprofessionals at one and at three months after their first professionalexperience.Material and method: descriptive, longitudinal study carried out by meansof semi-structure interviews to nursing professionals who had startedtheir professional activity at the Tortosa Verge de la Cinta (HTVC) hospitalduring the summer months of 2007 (n = 12). In order to quantify theperception and evolution of the safety or self-confidence degree on the nursingcompetences of the COM_VA© (4,5) instrument and the degree ofstress, a Likert-type scale was used.Results: the degree of professional stress had a mean score of 3,75 at thebeginning and 3, 1 after three months in the work force. The four professionalwho had increased stress attributed such increase to being polyvalent (multi-task), change of unit or ward, work overload and a greater awareness oftheir responsibility. With regard to the progress seen in terms of the safetyand self-confidence perceived in the nursing competences of the COM_VA©instrument, it was positive in all competence, being the worst valued competence“the assessment and diagnosis of changing situations” and the bestvalued competence “team work”.Conclusions: the level of stress decreases as time on the job goes by, the degreeof safety and self-confidence in the different nursing competences increaseswith experience. Having a tutor is regarded as positive. Professionalswho did not have a tutor stated to have received such support frommore experienced peers. The role of the practicum classes is highlightedas a preparation to the incorporation into the work force and the experienceof the incorporation into the work force (professional integration) isvalued as positive (AU)

La profesión enfermera y los niveles competenciales / Nursing profession and competency levels

Tras una reflexión sobre la profesión enfermera caracterizada como aquella que vela por el cuidado de las personas y su bienestar y salud, se analizan los modelos de Dreyfus y Benner como adquisición y desarrollo de habilidades y cómo éstas se aplican en Enfermería(AU)

After reflecting on the nursing profession as one characterized as a profession which watches over the care of persons and their health and well-being, the authors analyze the Dreyfus and Brenner models as means to acquire and develop skills and how these are applied in the nursing profession(AU)

Evaluación de la competencia / Competency evaluation

¿Cómo asegurarnos de que un profesional es competente? Para responder de forma adecuada es necesario conocer las competencias enfermeras y también saber cómo evaluarlas. El reto actual se basa en que estas evaluaciones sirvan para establecer niveles competenciales bien definidos, y que éstos se tengan en cuenta al exigir responsabilidades, pero también para otorgar reconocimiento profesional(AU)

How can we ensure that a professional is competent? In order to respond to this question in an adequate manner, it is necessary to know what nursing competencies are and how to evaluate them. The current challenge is based on having these evaluations serve to establish well-defined competency levels, and that these are seriously considered when responsibilities are demanded, but also to bestow professional acknowledgement(AU)

La inserción laboral de los profesionales de enfermería / Nursing professionals joining the work force

La primera experiencia profesional precisa un tiempo de adaptación, donde es importante el acompañamiento y el apoyo desde la institución para facilitar este proceso. Si esta tutorización se realiza de forma correcta, el recién diplomado vivirá dicha experiencia de forma más positiva y, por lo tanto, la inserción laboral resultará más satisfactoria tanto para el profesional novel como para todo el equipo asistencial(AU)

One’s first professional experience requires an adaptation time when a sense of companionship and help from the institution prove important to ease this process. If this tutoring occurs correctly, the newly certified nurse will live that experience in a more positive way and, therefore, joining the work force will provide more satisfaction for the new professional as well as for the entire caretaking team(AU)