RESUMEN
AIM/OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between perceived clinical competence and time management among nursing students. BACKGROUND: Given the close relationship between clinical competence and nursing care quality, it is important to investigate the nursing students' status in relation to the acquisition of nursing skills. Time management also as a framework for planning, setting goals, prioritizing goals and activities can be regarded as an important factor contributing to the clinical competence of nursing students. DESIGN: A cross-sectional and correlational study SETTINGS/PARTICIPANTS: This study included 221 undergraduate nursing students in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Iran in the 2022-2023 academic year. METHOD: The data were collected online through a demographic information questionnaire, the clinical competency inventory, and the time management questionnaire. RESULTS: Students' mean scores for the clinical-competency, and time management were 120.38 ± 22.15, and 77.91 ± 15.15, respectively. Regression models showed that overall time management (ß = 0.454, p < 0.001) and interest in the field of nursing (ß = 0.171, p = 0.004) were predictors for overall clinical competence in nursing students. This model explained 25 % of the variance in clinical competence (F= 38.707, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Time management can affect nursing students' competence in providing quality nursing care to patients. Therefore, it seems that holding training workshops on time management skills for nursing students can be an effective and pioneering step in improving these skills.