Nurse competence between three generational nurse cohorts: A cross‐sectional study |
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| Authors: | Riitta Meretoja PhD RN Olivia Numminen PhD RN Hannu Isoaho MSc Helena Leino‐Kilpi PhD RN |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Corporate Headquarters, Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, Helsinki, Finland;2. University of Turku, Turku, Finland;3. Statcon Ltd, Salo, Finland;4. Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland;5. Hospital District of Southwest Finland, Turku, Finland |
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| Abstract: | Research indicates significant differences between nurse cohorts in many work‐related factors. This study compared nurse competence between three generational cohorts comprising the current nursing workforce. The Nurse Competence Scale was used to collect data for this cross‐sectional study from 2052 nurses in a university hospital in Finland. Data were analysed statistically. Significant differences were found between nurse cohorts in their competence. The length of work experience had a significant impact on the development of competence. The oldest cohort, with the longest work experience, had the highest competence scores (70.1 on a visual analogue scale), and the youngest had the lowest (59.0). All cohorts were most competent in patient‐related nursing tasks, in maintenance of professional competence and in ethical care. Nurses were weakest in the development of nursing practice and the use of evidence‐based knowledge. Targeted interventions in teaching–coaching for different nurse generations are needed to ensure the maintenance of nurse competence and high‐quality patient care. |
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| Keywords: | evaluation studies generational cohort Nurse Competence Scale self‐assessment |
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