Pre-Licensure Nursing Student Perception of Competency-Based Education: A Phenomenological Study
Abstract
Susan K. Enfield*, James X. Stobinski, Patrician Welch Dittman and Rebecca Cavill
Background: Pre-licensure nursing education is changing for nursing schools across the country. Nursing schools are moving to a student-centered, competency-based focus, which will help support a more fluid transition to practice for all levels of nursing.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the lived experience of pre-licensure junior and senior nursing students in a competency-based nursing education program.
Methods: The research employed a hermeneutic-phenomenological design. The qualitative study incorporated data from student interviews, which were analyzed using van Manen’s six-step method.
Results: The findings of this study indicated that students do not fully grasp competency-based education or how it impacts their transition to practice.
Conclusions: Understanding the student’s thoughts and emotions will provide insight into the uniqueness of the student’s perception, enabling the creation of a competency-based program that promotes student learning, timely progression through the nursing program, and increased confidence in required nursing skills.