Assessment of nursing students’ perceived competence in preoperative patient care

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to assess nursing students’ perceived competence in providing preoperative patient care. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted at the faculty of nursing of a university in western Turkiye during the 2024-2025 academic year. The study sample consisted of 484 students with clinical experience in surgical units. Data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form and the Perceived Preoperative Nursing Care Competence Scale for Nursing Students (PPreCC-NS). Results: The students’ mean total score on the scale was 93.39±15.53. The highest subscale score was for legal responsibility and adherence to ethical principles (22.08±3.97), while the lowest was for patient assessment and monitoring (19.84±3.95). Female students, those not employed, and those who regularly reviewed course materials had significantly higher competence scores (p<0.05). A weak positive correlation was also found between grade point average and perceived competence (p<0.01). Conclusion: Overall, nursing students demonstrated high levels of competence in preoperative care; however, further improvement is needed in patient assessment and monitoring. Incorporating scenario-based simulations, digital learning tools, and ethically guided Artificial Intelligence applications into educational programs may enhance students’ clinical decision-making and patient safety-focused competencies.