FOUNDATIONAL COMPETENCIES FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG THAI NURSING STUDENTS: A SURVEY STUDY

Abstract

In time of socioeconomic changes and job competitiveness, many nursing and health sciences graduates choose to work in healthcare business or even embark on their entrepreneurship following their graduation. We take this s positively as an opportunity to explore possible employment for our graduates and thus offering health entrepreneurship to our current
students. This survey aimed to describe foundational competencies for entrepreneurship among Thai nursing students. The sample consisted of 567 undergraduate nursing students at Boromrajonani College of Nursing, Nakhon Lampang. We used the self-rating questionnaire to assess foundational competencies which included 1) strategic thinking, 2) contemporary knowledge and skills, 3) operational relationship and networking, 4) Success oriented action and 5) competitiveness. Descriptive analysis was performed. The results indicated that the overall competency was at a high level ( x = 3.59, SD = .32). With regard to individual competency domains, strategic thinking competency, operational relationship and networking, and successoriented action were high ( x1 = 3.81, SD = .43; x3 = 3.89, SD = .44; x4 = 4.26, SD = .41 respectively). Contemporary knowledge and skills, and competitiveness competency were moderate ( x2 = 3.05, SD = .63; x5 = 2.39, SD = .60 respectively). We recommend that teaching and learning strategies target improving contemporary knowledge and skills, and competitiveness among nursing students especially in health entrepreneurship subject taught at this college.