Iranian Journal of Medical Education

Introduction: Knowledge of the competencies of university graduates to meet goals orientation of future educational programs and the needs of society is one the country’s main challenges. The purpose of this study was to compare selected professional competencies of nursing graduates of the Azad and public universities of Maragheh in 2015.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 42 nursing graduates of Azad and public universities (21 per each university). Data collection tools were demographic questionnaires, self-assessment of knowledge, attitudes and skills, MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) and checklists of clinical skills assessment (OSCE = Objective Structured Clinical Examination). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-test.
Results: No significant differences were found in demographic characteristics between the two groups (p>0.05). The mean score (SD) of MCQs was 15.4 (3.7) out of 30. Azad university graduates’ score of attitude was significantly higher (p=0.005) than that of public universities graduates. Public university graduates obtained a higher score in the course of internal surgery (p=0.042) compared to Azad university graduates. Public university graduates significantly outperformed Azad graduates in the skills of pulmonary secretions suctioning (p=0.025), opening and closing the sterile package (p<0.001) and wearing gown (p=0.001). On the other hand, Azad university graduates significantly outperformed public graduates in the skills of NG intubation (p<0.001), lavage (p=0.003), gavage (p=0.000), administration of medications (p=0.005) and adding solution to the container in a sterile environment (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Given the average score of knowledge and both Azad and public university students’ weakness in some clinical skills, it seems necessary to develop students` professional competencies both during the training period and before starting their nursing practice.