Impact of a Structured Nursing Training Program on Self-perceived Competence of Newly Appointed Nurses at Apex Trauma Center in Northern India: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: New graduate nurses require an induction program to improve their clinical skills and build confidence during their transition from education to practice.Objectives: To evaluate and compare self-perceived clinical competence among new nursing staff before and after training program.Settings: Apex Trauma Centre in Northern India.Study design: A prospective observational study.Intervention: New graduate nurses joining the institute during study period underwent a comprehensive training module to enhance their skills and confidence.A 20-item validated questionnaire was offered to participants for self-evaluation of their skills before and after receiving the training.Competence level of each nurse was computed by adding score of individual items in questionnaire.Results: A total 136 newly joined nurses underwent training program during study period, of whom 120 participated in the study.There was a significant improvement in all 20 domains of clinical and housekeeping skills after the induction program (all p values < 0.01).Before induction program, less than two-thirds of the staff were confident about competence in key clinical skills.After induction more than 85% of attendees were confident about necessary skills.Conclusion: In our study, the induction by critical care training program was effective in promoting confidence and clinical competence of new nurses.