Abstract
Background
Evaluating nurses’ professional competence is critical for ensuring high-quality patient care. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the nurses’ professional competence level and to identify differences based on demographics in three West Bank hospitals.
Methods
A cross-sectional design was used, and a convenient sample of 206 nurses participated in the study. The Nurse Professional Competence (NPC) Scale was used to assess the competency level. The investigator distributed the questionnaire and explained the aim of the research. Consent forms were signed before the data collection.
Results
The average competency level was 79% (SD = 11.5), with 90% being professionally competent nurses. The average “nursing care” competency was 79% (SD = 12.98), and the competency level in providing value-based care was 80% (SD = 13.35). The average competency level in technical and medical care was 78% (SD = 13.45), whereas 79% (SD = 12.85) was the average competence level in “Care Pedagogics” and “Documentation and Administration.” The average competence level in the development and leadership subscale was 78% (SD = 12.22). Nurses who attended three to five workshops had a higher level of Nursing Care Competency, (H = 11.98, p = 0.003), and were more competent in value-based care (H = 9.29, p = 0.01); in pedagogical care and patient education (H = 15.16, P = 0.001); and in providing medical and technical care (H = 12.37, p = 0.002). Nurses attending more than five workshops were more competent in documentation and administration (H = 12.55, p = 0.002), and in development and leadership subscale ( H = 7.96, p = 0.20).
Conclusion
The study revealed that participants lacked development and leadership skills. Engagement in workshops positively impacted the level of competencies among nurses. Notably, those attending more than five workshops exhibited greater competence in documentation, administration, development, and leadership in nursing care.
Implications
This study emphasized the role of continuing education in improving nurses’ competencies and highlighted the need to conduct the study at a wider aspect to involve more hospitals with various affiliations to help structure more sensitive professional development and adopt the competencies as an integral part of staff development.
Key Questions
1. What is the importance of evaluating nurses' professional competence?
Evaluating nurses' professional competence ensures high-quality patient care and helps identify areas for improvement in nursing practice, benefiting both patients and healthcare teams.
2. How does continuing education impact nurses’ competencies?
Continuing education, such as attending workshops, has a significant positive impact on nurses' competencies in areas like patient care, leadership, and documentation, leading to improved nursing practice.
3. What are the most common competencies evaluated in nurses?
Commonly evaluated competencies include nursing care, value-based care, technical and medical care, pedagogical care, documentation, administration, and leadership skills.
4. What role do workshops play in enhancing nursing skills?
Workshops play a critical role in enhancing nursing skills by providing nurses with the latest knowledge and practical tools to improve their performance in patient care, education, and leadership.
5. How do nurses' competencies vary with demographic factors?
The study examined how factors such as age, years of experience, and attendance at professional development workshops affected nurses' competencies in different clinical areas.
