An Investigation of Nursing Competence and the Competency Outcomes Performance Assessment Curricular Approach: Senior Students' Self-Reported Perceptions

This study was designed to measure the construct of competence as perceived by nursing students in different programs of study. An exploration of a competence-based curricular model was undertaken to determine if there are distinguishing differences between schools that have formally adopted Dr. Carrie Lenburg's Competency Outcomes Performance Assessment (COPA) model as a curricular guide and those who have do not have a formal competence model guiding the curriculum. The Six-Dimension Scale of Nursing Performance (6-D Scale) was used to evaluate nursing competence. Using a purposive sample, senior nursing students (N = 391) from three different types of nursing programs (baccalaureate, associate [ADN], and diploma) were surveyed. Students completed a two-part questionnaire that included the 6-D Scale, demographic questions, and a researcher-generated questionnaire designed to measure competency-based learning and evaluation. Faculty (n = 101) from these same programs were also surveyed. The results revealed that students from COPA and non-COPA schools reported slightly lower scores in three subscales: teaching/collaboration, critical care, and leadership. Significant curricular differences as defined by the Klein Scales were found between COPA and non-COPA senior students, with 17% to 30% of the variance explained for the COPA students. The findings reflect that baccalaureate students reported significantly lower 6-D Scale scores in multiple areas when compared to diploma and ADN students. Enhancement of student learning and curricular revisions designed to improve leadership and technical expertise are suggested by the findings of this study.