Nursing competency inventory and professional competence of graduating students in six Asian countries: A cross-sectional study

Aims: To investigate graduating nursing students' nursing and professional competencies and the predictors of their competencies. Background: Across Asian countries, there is a paucity of literature that explores graduating nursing students' competency and professional competence during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional, and predictive approaches. Method: Convenience sampling was used among graduating nursing students from the six Asian countries (n = 375). The STROBE guidelines for cross-sectional studies were used. Two self-report instruments were utilized to collect data. We conducted multiple linear regression analyses to assess the predictors of nursing competency and professional competence domains. Results: Country of residence and general point average (GPA) showed statistically significant multivariate effects. Value-based nursing care and critical thinking and reasoning domains recorded the highest in professional competence and competency inventory for nursing students, respectively. Country of residence, GPA, and preferred nursing major were significant predictors of graduating nursing students' nursing competency and professional competence domains. Conclusion: Our study's findings revealed a high level of diversity among nursing students regarding ethical care obligations, caring pedagogies, and lifelong learning, all of which may be ascribed to their distinct culture, background, and belief systems.