Nursing student satisfaction in a developed clinical performance examination for Medical-Surgery Nursing: A pilot study

Background: Medical-surgical nursing is one component of essential clinical nursing competence. Clinical performance in nursing examination (CPNE) can assess an individual's problem solving, critical thinking, and autonomic learning abilities as well as clinical skills. Study results may be referenced in efforts to improve nursing education and the CPNE. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the satisfaction with the CPNE among college nursing students who participated in the CPNE for Medical-Surgery Nursing. Methods: A total of 30 nursing college students, 6 faculty members, and 6 senior nurses participated in this pilot study. Data were collected using survey questionnaires that incorporated the following surveys: Satisfaction of Nursing College Students in Competence Training, Clinical Performance Examination Satisfaction, and Learning Process Experience. Results: Respondents had the highest satisfaction on the item "CPE enhanced critical thinking", with a mean of 3.93 (SD = 0.80). While respondents identified CPE content as clearly presented (mean = 2.70, SD = 0.92), they still expressed a lack of confidence in being able to pass. This latter finding may due to the complexity of the self-preparation booklet and stresses felt during the actual examination. Conclusions: Respondents held positive attitudes toward the CPE. Satisfaction in "Nursing college students attitudes toward competence training", "Satisfaction in the CPE", and "Experience related to the learning process" all scored in the 3.30 to 3.69 range. Implications for practice: Study results may serve as references to nursing educators teaching medical-surgical nursing in order to raise clinical competence in nursing college students.