Effects of clinical practice stress and moral sensitivity on clinical competency in nursing students

Purpose: This study was conducted to explore how clinical practice stress and moral sensitivity affect the clinical competency of nursing students. Methods: Participants had completed at least a one year (2 semesters) clinical nursing practicum through K University in D Metropolitan City. A total of 188 nursing students were recruited: third grade (n=104) and fourth grade (n=84). The questionnaires were adopted with clinical practice stress, Korean version of moral sensitivity questionnaire (K-MSQ), and the clinical competency. Results: Clinical competency was positively correlated with patient-oriented care (r=.27, p<.001) and the professional responsibility (r=.32, p<.001) of the moral sensitivity (r=.27, p<.001). The attitude of medical personnel experiencing clinical practice stress shows a significant positive relationship with clinical competency (r=.15, p=.038). The attitude of medical personnel (ß=.09, p=.194) experiencing clinical practice stress, patient-oriented care (ß=.16, p=.041) and professional responsibility (ß=.23, p=.003) of the moral sensitivity explained 12% of the variance in clinical competency (F=9.17, p<.001). Therefore, the influential factors on clinical competency were two sub-factors of moral sensitivity. Conclusion: Moral educational programs should be considered to develop a nursing students' clinical competency.