The correlation and impact of nursing students' communication ability on nursing competence

Background: Communication ability is both correlated with and influences nursing competence, as it plays a vital role in effective patient care, interprofessional collaboration, and the development of key clinical skills in the nursing profession. Aim: To explore the correlation and impact of nursing students' communication ability on nursing competence. Methods: A correlational and cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2024 involving 113 third-year nursing students (BSN) from a department of nursing in Taiwan. Participants completed the Clinical Communication Competence Scale (CCCS) and the Nurse Professional Competence Scale (NPC scale). Data analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results: There was a significant relationship between the CCCS score and the NPC scale score (r = .267, p < 0.01) and a strong significant relationship between the NPC subdimension scores and the CCCS total score. Communication ability can predict nursing competence (B = 1.915, R = 0.466, F = 2.114, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Communication ability positively impacts nursing competence. By organizing training courses to improve students' communication skills, thereby enhancing their nursing competence.