Experienced registered nurses' perceptions of online competency-based pre-licensure nursing students' preparedness for the clinical practice experience

In recent years, the National League of nurses (NLN), the Robert Johnson Foundation, and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) have called upon nurse educators to develop effective ways to increase enrollment and increase access to nursing education to prevent the projected nursing shortage. This study examines registered nurses' perceptions of online competency-based pre-licensure nursing students' preparedness for the clinical environment. A quantitative survey method was used to collect data from registered nurses working with students from both online and traditional nursing programs. Data was collected on 15 facets of nursing. The study also compared registered nurses' perceptions of the preparedness of online competency-based pre-licensure nursing students with that of traditional nursing students. The study result indicated that participants believed online competency-based nursing students were prepared on all facets studied. Overall, participants in the study believed that online competency-based nursing students are as prepared for the clinical environment as traditional nursing students. The outcome of the study indicates that nurse educators and colleges of nursing should develop programs in the online environment to help alleviate the problem of classroom space. Further research is encouraged in order to gather more information about students' preparedness in the clinical environment. This information can also assist educators and colleges of nursing to make decisions about development or expansion of online competency-based nursing programs.