Psychometric properties assessment of Chinese version of work readiness scale for graduate nurses (WRS-GN) and associated factors of work readiness: Two cross-sectional studies

Abstract

Background: Lower work readiness is tied to anxiety, high turnover and nurse transition failure. An assessment of work readiness is necessary. To date, no relative scale exists in China. Thus, a work readiness related scale is urgently needed.

Objectives: To assess the psychometric properties of the scale, and look into the status of Chinese graduate nurse work readiness and factors associated with work readiness.

Design, settings, and participants: Both psychometric assessment and associated factors are designed with cross-sectional studies. 832 and 435 graduate nurses were recruited in the above two studies, respectively.

Methods: Brislin's transition model was utilized for the transition process, and a six-expert panel and preliminary survey were conducted for face validity and testing the transition version respectively. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability were applied for reliability and validity testing. Additionally, a linear regression method was carried out for analyzing influencing factors of work readiness of graduate nurses across China.

Results: A 37-item Chinese version scale was proven to have great psychometric qualities. Five factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis, which can explain 68.637% of the total variance. Furthermore, the confirmatory factor analysis demonstrates the fit indices of a five factors mode: X²/df = 1.769, RMSEA = 0.067, NFI = 0.859, RFI = 0.839, IFI = 0.934, CFI = 0.933, TLI = 0.923. Intra-class correlation coefficient, Cronbach's α and Guttman Split-half were 0.805, 0.960 and 0.903, respectively. Interpersonal relationships, leadership experience, scholarship, work experience and willingness to be nurses were associated with the potential to achieve higher work readiness.

Conclusion: The Chinese version of WRS-GN with good validity and reliability can be utilized for assessment of work readiness. Besides, improving work readiness of graduate nurses based on above five associated factors, educators and hospital managers could help graduate nurses having a smooth transition for a stable nursing workforce.

Keywords: Associated factors; Graduate nurse; Psychometrics; Reliability; Validity; Work readiness.