Comparison of Factors affecting Clinical Competence between Associate and Bachelor Nursing Students Completed Nursing Courses

Purpose: This study was to compare the influencing factors of clinical competence between associate and bachelor nursing students completing nursing courses. Method: The subjects were 429 students completing the nursing courses (172 bachelor course students, and 257 associate course students). The study design was cross sectional. Results: Bachelor students showed a significant higher score in clinical competence than associate students. There were significant influencing factors on clinical competence including critical thinking disposition, professional conduct, communication skill, theoretical education satisfaction, and practice education satisfaction. The strongest factor influencing clinical competence was critical thinking disposition. All the factors mentioned above explained 49% of clinical competence in associate courses, and 40.0% in bachelor courses excluding the factor of practice education satisfaction. The level of theoretical and practice education satisfaction of bachelor courses was significantly lower than associate. Conclusion: It is recommended that associate course nursing students should be encouraged in critical thinking disposition, professional conduct, and communication skill. Bachelor course nursing students should be encouraged in practical education including practical environments, instruction methods, and content for improving clinical competence.