A Measurement Scale Development of Nursing Competence for Nurses Working in General Wards

일반병동 간호사의 간호역량평가 도구 개발

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement scale of nursing competence for nurses working in general wards, and to test the validity and reliability of the scale. Method: A methodological study design was used, consisting of 3 steps as conceptual framework decision, measurement items development, and testing of validity and reliability. In order to verify content validity, 16 experts reviewed the concept of each competences and measurement items. The developed measurement items were tested from 301 nurses in one hospital. Factor analysis and item analysis were applied to establish the scale's construct validity and reliability. Result: The final scale consists of nine dimensions with 70 items. The overall scale reliability had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.98, and the demensions Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.88 to 0.95. The factor loading of construct validity was from 0.40 to 0.83. The explained variance from the 9 extracted factors was 70.93% of the total variance, and final factors were labeled as critical thinking, resources management and professional development, ability of ward management, application of nursing process, ethical accountability, respectful consideration, patient centered approach, crisis management, and leadership. Conclusion: This measurement scale can be utilized to evaluate nursing competence for nurses working in general wards.