The Relationship of Nursing Students' Objective Structured Clinical Exam Skills with Theoretical and Practical Success

Abstract

Introduction: The inability of students to transfer their theoretical knowledge into practice and the inability to evaluate their practice skills objectively are among the shortcomings of nursing education in our country. One of the ways to prevent mistakes that may be caused by students is the objective structured clinical exam (OSCE), which provides the opportunity to examine the skills without harming the patient. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between OSCE skills and theoretical exam and practice grades of nursing students with OSCE. Method: In the study, the retrospective analysis method was used. The collection of research data was carried out by retrospectively examining the OSCE checklists between October 1, 2020 - January 01, 2021. The sample of the study consisted of 490 students in total as a result of the exclusion of students who did not participate in OSCE, mid-term exam and clinical practice due to absenteeism or individual reasons. Results: When the mean scores of the students were examined, it was determined that the mean score of subcutaneous injection was 35.48 ± 6.62, blood collection application 34.83 ± 9.82, intramuscular injection 33.24 ± 7.13 and three-way stopcock drug application 31.98 ± 8.6. It was found that the mean score obtained by the students from the OSCE had a significant but very weak relationship with the midterm exam grade averages (p < .001, r = .23) and a significant but weak relationship with the practice grade averages (p < .001, r = .26). In addition, it was found that there was a significant but weak (p < .001, r= .39) relationship between the students' 1st midterm grade point averages and their practice scores. Conclusion: Although it is seen that the skill scores of the students are higher than the average, it is seen that errors are high in many points that may endanger patient safety. Although the OSCE exam results were significant with the theoretical and practical achievements of the students, it was determined that there was a very low and low correlation. In this direction, it can be recommended to revise the evaluation methods of the OSCE.