DE-SOUZA-CRUZ, María Cecilia    MARISCAL-CRESPO, María Isabel. Competencies and clinical learning environment in nursing: self perception of advanced students in Uruguay. []. , 15, 41, pp.121-134. ISSN 1695-6141.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the competence level, according to the clinical learning environment, in nursing students from Uruguay. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was made, including 33 pregraduating students from Facultad de Enfermería de la Universidad de la República and Universidad Católica del Uruguay. The data were collected during 2013 using two self-administered instruments, the Nurse Competence Scale (NCS) and the Practice Environment Scale-Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI). Results: The overall competence was on very good level (76.97; VAS: 0-100). The competence was highest in work role and all of the competences were mostly used (84.8%) "very often" and "ocassionally". The environment was mainly perceived as unsupportive (54.5% disagree). We could not find a significant relationship between competences and environment for this sample. Conclusion: Pre-graduating students have a very good level of competence. The self-assessment, using instruments as the NCS, is a very important tool to evaluate the competence achievements. It is necessary to keep on searching about the environment and other factors that could be related to competences.

: Competencies; Environment; Learning; Nursing; Perception.

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