Competencies of entry-level nurses towards quality nursing care in the hospitals of Rinconada: basis for onboarding training program /
Gina N. Zagala
- 171 leaves.
Masters Thesis (MAN) - Nursing
Includes bibliographic references.
The study aimed to assess the competencies of entry-level nurses towards quality nursing care in the hospitals of Rinconada which served as a basis for developing an onboarding training program. The research employed a descriptive-correlational design and gathered data from five privately-owned hospitals in Rinconada area. The hospitals were selected using stratified random sampling, and total enumeration was used to identify the entry-level nurse respondents.
Findings showed that the majority of the workforce is composed of females aged 25 to 34 years, who are the youngest in the family, with most holding bachelor's degrees and fell within the 10,001 to 20,000 pesos family monthly income bracket. These findings highlight a relatively young group of nurses entering the profession. Competency areas such as patient care prioritization, decision making, assessment and identifying and addressing medication errors were strongly demonstrated in the study however gaps were identified in the areas of stress management, emotional support, and advanced clinical procedures. While factors affecting nurse competencies are confidence in basic nursing skills, access to resources, and the presence of a collaborative work environment. In contrast, the profile was found to have no significant relationship with the identified competencies.
The study revealed that addressing these gaps through structured onboarding programs is necessary for enhancing competencies and quality care delivery among entry-level nurses. Recommendations were made to implement mentorship initiatives, gender-sensitive training, and resource allocation for skill development and stress management. Additionaly, an action plan was designed to address these challenges, aiming to create a supportive environment that bridges competency gaps and promotes professional growth. By addressing key competency areas, factors and promoting continuous professional growth, the study underscores the importance of equipping entry-level nurses to meet the demands of quality nursing care effectively in the Rinconada area.