A Study of Professional Nurses’ Competency in Pediatric Unit, Tertiary Hospitals

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study professional nurses’ competency in pediatric unit, tertiary hospitals. Sample consisted of 547 professional nurses in 28 tertiary hospitals who had at least 5 years experience in pediatric unit. Rating scale questionnaire was used to study professional nurses’ competency in pediatric units. The content validity was establizhed by 5 experts. Reliability of questionnaire, calculated by the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, was .91. Data were analyzed by Principal Components Extraction and Orthogonal Rotation with Varimax Methhod.

The results were as follows:

The factor analysis of professional nurses’ competency in pediatric unit, tertiary hospitals yielded 7 factors; 74 items, accounted for 73.58 percent of total variance, and named as follows:

1.   Nursing quality improvement competency, by 18 items.

2.   Nursing knowledge integration competency, by 15 items.

3.   Nursing of critical care, by 9 items.

4.   Research and technology utilization competency, by 6 items.

5.   Ethics and patient advocacy competency, by 10 items.

6.   Communication competency, by 9 items.

7.   Holistic pediatric care competency, by 7 items.