An exploratory study of clinical competency among nursing students and associated factors

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical competency of final-year nursing students and to identify factors influencing their readiness for professional practice. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted with 353 students using a validated self-assessment questionnaire covering nine standardized domains. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA. Findings revealed that only 44.2% of students reached a competent level, while more than half (54.1%) remained partially competent. Strengths were observed in communication and patient safety, whereas significant gaps were found in technical skills and application of the nursing process. Competency was significantly associated with gender, academic performance, and the clinical learning environment. The novelty of this study lies in providing evidence-based insights for nursing education in Viet Nam, emphasizing that clinical competency is not a fixed trait but a trainable outcome. The findings highlight the urgent need for curriculum innovation, enhanced clinical mentorship, and simulation-based teaching strategies to strengthen practice readiness.