Perception of Clinical Decision Making among Nurses: Students versus Interns

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer of medical-surgical nursing, Faculty of nursing, Zagazig university

2 Assistant Prof. of community health nursing, Faculty of nursing, Zagazig university

Abstract

Back ground: Clinical Decision-Making (CDM) is a dynamic and complex thinking process
that nurses have to make frequently each day while planning and delivering care. The aim of
this study was to compare between baccalaureate (final year) nursing students and interns
regarding their perception of clinical decision-making. Setting & Sample: An analytic crosssectional
design was used to conduct the study at the Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University
on 100 baccalaureate nursing students and 124 interns selected by convenience sampling.
Tool: A self-administered questionnaire form including the Clinical Decision-Making in
Nursing Scale was used to collect data. The fieldwork lasted from September to November
2012. The results showed no significant differences between the students and interns in the
mean and median scores of all four subscales and the total score. In both, the scores are higher
for the subscales of searching for alternatives and canvassing objectives/values. The median
total scores were equal for males and females (3.16) and almost equal for single (3.18) and
married (3.15) respondents. Age and academic grade achievement had no influence on
perception of decision-making. The study concludes that final year nursing students and
nurse interns have average clinical decision-making with no difference in the perceptions of
the two groups. Recommendations: The faculty of nursing should give more emphasis on the
development of this skill in undergraduate curricula and in internship programs, with
provision of needed resources for research and evidence-based practice. Further research is
suggested for identification of the factors that may improve or impede the development of this
skill among nurses.

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