The study of hard and soft skills used by nursing students during their clinical practice in public hospitals

Abstract

The study investigated the use of hard and soft skills by nursing students during their clinical practice in public hospitals. A phenomenological qualitative study was employed to understand the experiences of 10 third-year nursing students as they applied hard and soft skills in real-world healthcare settings. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. The findings revealed that ten nursing students employed both hard and soft skills. They utilized hard skills, both academic knowledge and information technology, to perform and support their clinical tasks and practices. Soft skills, including communication, teamwork, adaptability, empathy, responsibility, respect for others, work ethics, critical thinking, and problem-solving, were utilized to navigate the complexities of patient care and professional interactions. The study also found that, although critical thinking was one of the soft skills, when nursing students applied it in the healthcare setting, they used it alongside hard skills. The results suggested that the use of hard and soft skills was crucial for nursing students to adapt and excel across various clinical environments. Additionally, the findings highlighted that students often relied on technology, peer support, and self-directed learning to enhance their competence, while some struggled with communication in hierarchical settings due to a seniority culture.