Survey on specific nursing competences: Students' perceptions

• Our study is based on 40 Tuning specific competences.
• We examined the students' perceptions of the level of acquired competences.
• Communication and interpersonal competences are well developed.
• Leadership, management and teamwork competences are less developed.
• Nursing future curriculum frameworks should be more patient-centered oriented.

IntroductionThe nursing profession requires sophisticated interdisciplinary knowledge and skills, which is why numerous nursing curricula are being developed all across the world. The aim of the study was to assess students' perspectives about competences, defined by the Tuning project, they acquired and developed since enrolment in the undergraduate nursing study programme.MethodsA survey was performed amongst 69 postgraduate Master degree students at the Faculty of Health Sciences University of Maribor, Slovenia (nursing graduates) and the research results were analysed using conventional statistical and correspondence analysis.ResultsMost of the participants felt that they are more competent in their awareness of different roles, responsibilities and functions of a nurse together with the ability to practice within the context of professional, ethical, regulatory and legal codes. However they felt less competent in leadership, management, and team competences.ConclusionsAccording to the students' perceptions the current Nursing curriculum should be more future oriented and needs some core changes regarding the scope and level competences taught.