Investigation And Analysis On Nurses′ Core Competency And Its Related Factors In Tertiary General Hospital In Hubei Province

Objectives1. To investigate the status of nurses′core competency in tertiary general hospitals in Hubei province.2. To compare nurses′core competency with different backgrounds.3. To explore the relationship between nurses′core competency and social support.4. To investigate the status of nurses′social support in tertiary general hospitals in Hubei province.5. To compare nurses′social support with different backgrounds.6. Based on referenced literatures and these results, put forward measures to improve nurses′core competency.MethodsBy stratified, random and clustery sampling, a survey consisting of Registered Nurse Core Competence Scale and Social Support Revalued Scale was administrated to 482 nurses in three tertiary general hospitals in Hubei province. Descriptive analysis, One-Way ANOVA, Independent-samples T-test, Pearson Bivariate Correlations and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were performed by the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS15.0).Results1. The average score of nurses′core competency was 3.29±0.57.Critical thinking and Research was proved to be the lowest capacity with an average score 3.10±0.68. The lowest score of the 58 items was playing the role of a reformer who can combine theory and practice.2.≥35 years old, working time≥15 years, day shift, secondary and area of low economic level nurses were significantly higher than others in nurses′core competency (P<0.05). Nurse (position) was significantly lower than others (P<0.05).3. Department, marriage, establishment, title and the average monthly wage could significantly affect nurses′core competency (P<0.05). Emergency, unmarried, nurse (title) and the average monthly wage <1 000 RMB nurses were the lowest score. Obstetrics and formal preparation nurses were the highest score.4. There was close positive correlation between subjective support and nurses′core competency (r>0.05). Subjective support was a protective factor of nurses′core competency.5. The score of social support was 46.10±6.36. Subjective support was 27.34±3.98. 50.2% of nurses thought family could fully support their work, and 62.9% could feel concern from most colleagues.6. <25 years old, working time <5 years and unmarried nurses were significantly lower than others in subjective support (P<0.05).7. Department, title and the average monthly wage could significantly affect subjective support (P<0.05). Other departments, nurse (title) and the average monthly wage<1 000 RMB nurses were the lowest score.8. Working style, education, establishment, position and area couldn′t significantly affect subjective support (P>0.05).Conclusions1. Nurses′core competency in tertiary general hospitals in Hubei province was at a high level, but still need to strengthen critical thinking and research capacity.2. Managers should pay more attention to low seniority, emergency and night shift nurses, and took appropriate measures to enhance nurses′core competency.3. Researchers need to further explore secondary and area of low economic level nurses′core competency and related factors.4. Nurses′social support and subject support in tertiary general hospitals in Hubei province was at a high level, but still need to strengthen subject support from colleague and family in order to enhance the initiative to improve nurses′core competency.5. Managers should take positive measures to improve subject support of low seniority and other department nurses.