Development of a Competency Framework of Recovery Room Nurses, Lampang Hospital

Abstract

        Development of a nurse competency framework is very important for human resource management. The purpose of this study was to develop a competency framework of recovery room nurse of Lampang Hospital by applying the strategies of Marrelli, Tondora, and Hoge, (2005) for developing competency frameworks. The samples of this study consisted of seven recovery room nurses of Lampang Hospital, and five experts chosen by purposive sampling. The instruments used in the study were an interviewing guideline and a recording from. The data analysis consisted of content analysis and calculation of the content validity index.

         The results of the study revealed that a competency framework for recovery room nurses, Lampang Hospital, consisted of 8 categories and 58 behavioral indicators which were: 1) assessment and management of respiratory system competency 2) assessment and management of the circulatory system competency 3)assessment of level of consciousness and patient care competency 4) care for patients with complications from anesthesia competency 5) management of emergencies competency 6) post-surgical care competency 7) assessment of patients before discharging from the recovery room and returning home competency and 8)postoperative round within 24 hours after anesthesia competency.

          Therefore, nurse administrators could use this competency framework as a guideline for developing evaluation forms and developing competencies of nurses in recovery rooms.