Clinical Competence and Its Related Factors of Nurses in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Introduction: Clinical competence of nurses working in the neonatal intensive care units together with advancements in medical science and technology increased the survival rate of newborns that need specialized care. To ensure the quality of care and provide the safety of patients, evaluating the clinical competence of nurses seems necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical competence of nurses in the neonatal intensive care units. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 117 nurses working in the neonatal intensive care units of the hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected by census method. The research tool was Development of Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses questionnaire which completed by self-assessment. The mean clinical competence scores of participants categorized into 3 levels: weak: <225, moderate: 225-273 and good: >273. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 13 using the Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test and Chi-square test. Results: The highest levels of competence were related to critical thinking and research attitude and interpersonal relationships, and the lowest level was related to training and mentoring. There was a direct statistically significant relationship between marital status, employment status, level of interest in working in the neonatal intensive-care units and the clinical competence of nurses. Conclusion: Since the clinical competence of nurses in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units is vital, some variables such as interest in the nursing profession, employment status, the neonatal intensive theoretical and practical training courses and the amount of overtime working hours should be taken into consideration.

Comparative Study of the Clinical Competence of Emergency Nurses Using Self-Assessments and Head Nurse Evaluations

“…From the head nurses' perspectives, the highest clinical competence is related to the management of clinical situations, while the lowest competencies are related to support and assistance and quality assurance [18]. In terms of managing clinical situations, the results presented here are consistent with those of Saeb (2016) [8,15].…”

“…Hassankhani et al (2018) found that the overall competency of emergency nurses indicated a good level of perceived competence[18]. Valdez et al (2019) have suggested that higher competency levels in nurses in terms of management; decision making; and continuity of care, education, and cultural sensitivity, are related to shorter waiting times for patients[18].…”

Evaluation of the Nursing Management for Patients on Underwater Chest Drainage at Kenyatta National Hospital

“…Some of the chest drains remain clogged and unnoticed by the nurses while others dislodge without prompt detection and intervention. There is prolonged hospitalization of patients with chest drains at KNH [16] [17].…”

A survey of clinical competence of new nurses working in emergency department in Iran: A descriptive, cross‐sectional study

“…In a study by Hassankhani et al (2017), Iranian emergency nurses, including both new and experienced, self-rated their competency level as good (Hassankhani et al, 2017). Mirlashari et al (2016) studied the clinical competence of Iranian nurses employed in the neonatal intensive care units and reported that 65.8% of these nurses had a moderate clinical competency (Mirlashari et al, 2016), as opposed to 53% in our study. The higher percentage of nurses with a moderate clinical competency level in Mirlashari et al's (2016) study can be due to recruiting both highly experienced and less experienced nurses (Mirlashari et al, 2016).…”