Psychometric evaluation of the Korean version of the work readiness scale for graduating nursing students

Abstract

Background Newly hired nurses are expected to rapidly assimilate into the workplace and fulfill professional nursing roles. The Work Readiness Scale for Graduate Nurses (WRS-GN) comprehensively measures the work readiness of new nurses by assessing their work competence, personal work characteristics, social intelligence, and organisational acumen.

Aim To translate the original English WRS-GN into Korean and evaluate its psychometric properties with South Korean graduating nursing students.

Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study included 251 graduating nursing students from four nursing schools in South Korea. The WRS-GN was translated into Korean using a parallel blind technique and followed by a cognitive interview with 10 nursing students. The recruited participants completed an online survey containing the Korean versions of the WRS-GN and Casey-Fink Readiness for Practice Survey (CRPS).

Findings Confirmatory factor analysis identified a four-factor model with a satisfactory fit, in line with the original English scale. There was a moderate correlation between WRS-GN and CRPS scores (γ = 0.675, p < 0.001). The internal consistency reliability of the Korean WRS-GN was very high, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.95. Factors associated with work readiness of graduating nursing students were reasons for choosing this career path and nursing school.

Discussion The work readiness of graduating nursing students differed by the schools they attend. Nursing educators need to design nursing curricula that can effectively prepare future nurses to successfully transition to the workplace and pursue this career path.

Conclusion The Korean version of the WRS-GN demonstrated reliability and validity in the assessment of graduating nursing students’ readiness to enter the nursing profession.