Competency Perceptions and Readiness Levels of Pre-Graduation Nursing Students: The First Graduation Following the COVID-19 and Earthquake Era

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the perception of nursing competence and readiness for nursing practice among pre-graduate nursing students who studied during the COVID-19 pandemic and earthquake. Method: The study was conducted with 228 senior students at İnönü University Faculty of Nursing during the 2023–2024 academic year. Data were collected using the Student Identification Form and the Nursing Competence Perception and Nursing Practice Readiness Scale. Data analysis included Kolmogorov-Smirnov normal distribution, Spearman correlation for inter-scale correlations, and Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency. Descriptive statistics were presented as numbers and percentages for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for continuous variables. Results: The students' perception of nursing competence and readiness for practice were found to be high. The mean scores for the nursing competence subscales were as follows; Person-centered care 4,30 (0,75), teamwork and collaboration 4.14 (0.75), evidence-based practice 4.11 (0.70), quality improvement 4.18 (0.74), safety 4.16 (0.74), and informatics 4.09 (0.77). The total mean score on the nursing practice readiness scale was 100.69 (14.59). A positive moderate to strong correlation was found between students' nursing competence status and practice readiness levels across all dimensions (r=.415-.633; p<0.001). Conclusion: It was determined that students studying during the COVID-19 pandemic and earthquake had high levels of perceived competence in nursing and readiness for nursing practice, and a positive correlation existed between them.