Enterprising tendency and interpersonal communication of nursing students

Abstract

Objective To identify general enterprising tendency and competence in interpersonal communication of nursing students and correlate them with personal and academic variables. Method A cross-sectional study at a university in São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Three instruments were used for data collection: 1 - A questionnaire with personal and academic variables; 2 - The General measure of Enterprising Tendency test (GET); and 3 - The Interpersonal Communication Competence Scale (Escala de Competência em Comunicação Interpessoal – ECCI). Results The sample consisted of 150 participants. The highest averages were on the GET ‘Need for Achievement’ dimension (M = 7.88; SD = 2.12 and median = 8.00) and the ECCI ‘Availability’ dimension (M = 12.50; SD = 1.99 and median = 13.00). Students in the less advanced periods of the course obtained higher averages on the GET ‘Drive and Determination’ dimension (p = 0.032), while those who performed paid work a higher average on the ECCI ‘Interaction Management’ dimension (p = 0.030). Conclusion Higher Education Institutions should look for strategies to teach the content of these competencies in a more dynamic and engaging way throughout education which encompass the student’s capacity and the needs of the labor market.