Abstract
The purpose of the study is to inquire what nurses in different areas of nursing practise consider to be the most important competencies demanded of a newly qualified nurse — at present and in five years time and to inquire how the nurses competencies are described using language based on practice.
The methodology and data analysis are build on both inductive and deductive methodology. A paradigm is used as organisational scheme to organise data in five areas of competence. Data are gathered from a questionnaire with questions about the competencies of the newly qualified nurse at present and in five years time. The total population is active, qualified nurses, a total of 112 individuals and 105 different settings for clinical teaching in hospitals as well as in the communities in the county of West Judland Denmark. The percentage of response was 32 and 52. The result of the study shows wider competencies wanted of the nurse in five years time compared with a newly qualified nurse at present. The context in which nursing is practised is different and the demand of personnel and informal competencies is explicit and increased. The newly qualified nurse, conscious of her professional identity and obtained competencies, is expected to identify herself as an initiating partner in the interdisciplinary team focusing on nursing duties as well as on the intire patient service. To obtain this qualities a strong professional identity, professional pride, drive and not least self-esteem are needed.