Perioperative nurses' perceptions of competence: implications for migration.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Workforce Studies
• International Nursing

Background:

• Perceived competence is crucial for safe nursing practice, especially in specialized areas like the operating room.
• Competency requirements may differ across clinical settings, creating uncertainty for migrating nurses.
• Understanding the perceived competence of nurses is vital for safe patient care during international migration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare the perceived perioperative competence of Canadian and Australian nurses.
• To explore the implications of these findings within the context of nurse migration.
• To establish a baseline for international discussions on nursing competency standards.

Main Methods:

• A self-report survey measuring perioperative competence across six domains was administered to operating room nurses in Canada and Australia.
• The survey included domains such as foundational knowledge, leadership, collaboration, proficiency, empathy, and professional development.
• Non-parametric statistical tests were employed to analyze differences based on nationality, experience, and qualifications.

Main Results:

• Both Canadian and Australian nurses reported high overall perceived competence in all measured domains.
• Statistically significant differences were observed between the two countries in foundational knowledge and skills (p < .001), collegiality (p = .023), and empathy (p < .0001).

Conclusions:

• Cross-national data on perceived perioperative competence is essential for fostering international dialogue on educational preparation for migrating nurses.
• The growing global mobility of nurses necessitates international standardization of knowledge and practice expectations in perioperative settings.
• Addressing national differences in perceived competence is a critical step towards ensuring safe and effective care for migrating nurses.