A Study of the Desirable Characteristics of the Air Force Nurse Graduates from the Bachelor of Nursing Science Program (Revised Curriculum, 2023) as Identified by Stakeholder Needs

Abstract

This descriptive study aimed to identify the desirable characteristics of the Air Force nurse graduates for the Bachelor of Nursing Science program (Revised Curriculum 2023) as identified by stakeholders’ needs using the Delphi technique. The samples were 35 experts who were stakeholders of the Air Force nurse graduates recruited by purposive sampling method. The research instruments were demographic data questionnaires, and three rounds of questionnaires provided two sections: open-ended and a 5-point rating scale. The data were analyzed using median and interquartile range.

The study found that the desirable characteristics of the Air Force graduates as identified by stakeholders’ needs had a median equal to or greater than 3.50 and an interquartile range equal to or less than 1.50. The desirable characteristics consisted of nine characteristics. They were: 1) Integrated nursing knowledge and practice in nursing and midwifery skills; 2) Integrated the general knowledge, nursing knowledge, military knowledge, elementary aeromedical nursing and practice in nursing and midwifery in emergency and disaster situations skills; 3) Collaborating with interdisciplinary team skills; 4) Critical thinking, creative thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills; 5) Using technology skills;  6) Conducting nursing research and innovation skills; 7) Communicate in Thai and English skills; 8) Interpersonal relationship, characteristic appear with colleague and client skills; and 9) Military characteristics and good citizenship.

The results of this study can be used as basic information for directors and curriculum administrators in developing nursing science programs in order to improve the desired characteristics of graduates and the quality of learning and teaching in nursing.