Abstract:

In a field of nursing, nurses are required for professional competency such as appropriate thinking and behaviors depending on situations.
In the current study, characteristics in acquisition of practical fundamental capabilities by nurses are examined from a perspective of acquisition of qualifications.

Method:
The progress report on generic skills test（PROG）which measures the basic abilities as an adult member of society was carried out targeting 50 nurses who work in general hospitals. By this test, the analysis was carried out from the two sides consisting of “Literacy” and “Competency”.

Ethical considerations: It was carried out after obtaining the approval from the research ethics review committees of the institutions which they belong to and the consent of the participants.

Results:
The basic educational institutions were classified into (A) vocational college graduates, (B) junior college graduates and (C) college graduates.
As for literacy which was classified into seven grades, A showed a normal distribution curve whose median value was 3. B was aggregated into 3 to 4. The grade distributions of all C members were 4 or more.
The nurse data by qualification acquired were classified into Registered nurse (RN), Certified nurse (CN), and Clinical nurse specialists (CNS). RN showed two layers and CN were aggregated into 3 to 4. All CNS members were 3 or more.
As for competency, A showed two layers and B were located in the low grade side from 1 to 3. C formed two big and small mountain shapes.
In the nurse data by qualification acquired, RN showed two layers, CN showed three layers and CNS formed a gentle slope with 6 as the top.

Conclusion:
College graduates and the person who acquired the qualifications of CNS have high literacy.
As for competency, there are two layers consisting of high and low competency types among college graduates. Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) indicate the tendency of high competency as a whole.

Keywords:

Literacy and Competency, Nursing.