| The study investigated expectations of competency in psychomotor skills of baccalaureate graduate nurses in an era of health care reform. Research questions were formulated to identify differences in the expectations of nursing practice personnel, new baccalaureate graduate nurses, and nursing faculty in baccalaureate schools of nursing regarding the level of psychomotor skill competency needed by baccalaureate graduates upon entry into practice. Consideration was also given to the relationship of selected demographic variables to the expectations.;The sample for this study consisted of 61 nursing faculty, 35 nursing practice personnel, and 25 baccalaureate graduate nurses. The nursing faculty considered for participation taught basic skills and/or adult health nursing content and were involved in clinical supervision of students. The nursing practice personnel considered for participation were those who participated in the orientation of baccalaureate graduates upon entry into practice. The baccalaureate graduate nurses considered for participation were nurses in their first jobs as registered nurses following graduation, who had been employed for no more than one year. Data were collected during December 1995 and January 1996.;Two instruments, the Demographic Information Form and the Psychomotor Nursing Skills Inventory, were completed by all subjects to collect data for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive and parametric statistics. The demographic data were tabulated using descriptive statistics. Multiple regression was performed to address the research questions. The statistical hypothesis was tested at the p = 0.10 level of significance.;The results of the study revealed that there are statistically significant differences in the expectations of nursing faculty, nursing practice personnel, and baccalaureate graduate nurses regarding the level of psychomotor skill competency needed by baccalaureate graduates upon entry into practice. Overall, baccalaureate graduate nurses held the highest expectations among the groups. The nursing faculty expectations were higher than the practice personnel, while the nursing practice personnel had the lowest expectations.;Further, the study results revealed that selected demographic variables are related to the expectations of nursing faculty, nursing practice personnel, and baccalaureate graduates. These variables are: highest academic degree held, present position held and clinical specialization. |
