New study reveals Norwegian nursing students felt underprepared after COVID-19 disruptions
A new report from the University of South-Eastern Norway and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology sheds light on how the COVID‑19 pandemic affected the competence and confidence of bachelor nursing students at graduation.
Using the validated Nurse Professional Competence Scale Short Form, the study found that students rated themselves highest in Value‑based Nursing Care and Nursing Care, but lowest in Development, Leadership and Organization of Nursing Care and Care Pedagogics. More than 30% of the students reported that the pandemic negatively affected their ability to manage medications, handle technical equipment, and educate patients. Notably, 40.6% expressed serious concern that their education during the pandemic had not provided sufficient competence to begin working as nurses.
Younger students reported significantly lower competence in several key areas and expressed greater concern about their readiness to enter professional practice, indicating an important vulnerable group.
The authors conclude that universities should re-evaluate and strengthen educational frameworks to ensure nursing students continue developing critical competencies during crises. The findings provide essential insights for future policy development and highlight the need for targeted support for at‑risk student groups.
New study maps nursing students’ competence at the start of Norwegian master’s programs
A new cross-sectional study published in Inspira examines how Norwegian master’s students in intensive care, on nursing in operating theaters, and oncology nursing assess their own professional competence when beginning their studies. The research follows the introduction of national education regulations in 2021, aimed at strengthening specialized nursing education and ensuring common final competencies across the country. The study surveyed students at a Norwegian university using the Nurse Professional Competence Scale – Short Form. Results show that students rated themselves highest in Medical and Technical Care, while the lowest scores were found in Professional Development, Management, and Organization of Nursing Care. Women reported significantly higher competence in medical and technical areas compared to men, and students aged 41–50 scored higher in Value-Based Nursing than other age groups. No significant differences were found between the three nursing specializations.
Students highlighted that the part-time, gathering-based educational model made it easier to combine studies with work, family, and financial responsibilities. The authors conclude that Norwegian master’s programs should place greater emphasis on leadership, professional development, and organizational competence to strengthen the future specialist nursing workforce.
Study Shows Internship Program Boosts Competence and Health Among Saudi Nurses
A new study by Jehad O. Halabi, Jan Nilsson, and Margret Lepp reveals that a culturally tailored 12-month internship program significantly improves professional competence, self-efficacy, and perceived health among newly graduated Saudi nurses. The research, involving 147 nurses across two tertiary hospitals, used a longitudinal design with repeated measures. Results showed marked gains in leadership, documentation, and administrative skills, while value-based care competence remained strong. Self-efficacy and overall health also improved during the program. The findings underscore the importance of structured, culturally adapted internships in preparing practice-ready nurses and enhancing their transition from academic education to clinical practice.
A new study published in the Journal of Nursing Management highlights the significant role of nurse empowerment and professional competence in promoting person-centered care in hospitals.
NPC Scale Now Available in Bahasa Indonesia: Enhancing Nursing Competence Assessment Across Indonesia
We are proud to announce the successful translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the Nurse Professional Competence Scale Short Version (NPC Scale SV) into Bahasa Indonesia. This milestone, published in the International Journal of Nursing on September 28, 2025, represents an important development with relevance for nursing education and clinical practice in Indonesia."
Led by researchers Lely Lusmilasari, Melyza Perdana, Heny Suseani Pangastuti, Ariani Arista Putri Pertiwi, Jan Nilsson, and Margret Lepp, the study confirms that the Indonesian version (NPC Scale SV-INA) is a valid and reliable tool for assessing nurse competencies. Tested among 352 registered nurses across diverse healthcare settings, the scale aligns with national standards and supports professional development from newly graduated nurses to experienced practitioners.
The NPC Scale SV-INA is now available for use in clinical practice, education, and research, helping identify knowledge gaps and guide strategies to improve patient safety and the quality of care throughout Indonesia.
New Study Highlights Key Factors Influencing Nurses’ Professional Competence in Sweden
A newly published study from a regional teaching hospital in Sweden sheds light on how nurses perceive their own professional competence, revealing important differences across roles and educational backgrounds. Based on responses from over 600 nurses, the research found that specialist nurses consistently scored higher than their peers, and that factors such as gender, years of experience, and occupational self-efficacy were strongly associated with competence levels. The findings offer valuable insights for healthcare leaders and educators, and support the use of the Swedish Enhanced Competence Development Model (vKUM) to guide strategic professional development in nursing.
2025-04-22
Discover the newly validated Japanese version of the Nurse Professional Competence Scale Short-Form.
2025-01-03
Researchers in the countries highlighted on the map have requested permission to use the NPC Scale in various projects assessing the professional competence of newly graduated nursing students and registered nurses.
Visiting ICN, WHO and Red Cross in Geneva October 2019
On behalf of the Swedish the NPC research group Professor Maria Engström, University of Gävle, Associate Professor Ann Gardulf, Karolinska Institutet, Professor Margret Lepp, University of Gothenburg and Associate Professor Jan Nilsson, Karlstad University and Sophiahemmet University, Sweden visited ICN, WHO and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva, Switzerland. The development and use of the Nurse Professional Competence (NPC) Scale was presented as one example of empirical nursing research results by the NPC research group www.npcresearchgroup.com. The NPC Scale is translated into several languages and used in numerous countries globally, and measures self-reported competence in six nursing competence areas:
- Nursing care
- Value-based Nursing care
- Medical technical care
- Care pedagogics
- Documentation and administration of nursing care
- Development, leadership, and organization of nursing care.
International Council of Nurses (ICN)
Meeting and discussion at the ICN with the Associate Director for Nursing and Health Policy Alessandro Stievano. During the meeting European nursing research was discussed. The work of the NPC Research Group was presented as contributing to the strategic goals of ICN.
Margret Lepp, Jan Nilsson,Alessandro Stievano, Maria Engström and Ann Gardulf at ICN Head Quarters in Geneva.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Meeting at the WHO with Chief Nurse Officer Elisabeth Iro. The NPC research group was invited to contribute to the WHO report “The State of the World’s Nursing Report” that will be launched globally in May 2020.
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
At the Red Cross the group had a meeting with Officer Fatiha Hamza Moulinwho gave a general overview. Then presentations and discussions about professional competence among nurses working as Red Cross Delegates in disasters and the use of the NPC Scale followed with Senior Health Officer, Human ResourcesHannele Haggman, Director, Health and Care Department Emanuele Capobiancoand Team Leader, Community Health and Emergency CarePanu Saaristo.
Ann Gardulf, Elisabet Iro, Jan Nilsson, Margret Lepp and Maria Engström at World Health Organizations Head Quarters in Geneva.
