Construct validity of clinical nurse specialist core competency scale: An exploratory factor analysis

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Professional Development

Background:

• Limited global data exists on clinical nurse specialist (CNS) competencies outside North America.
• Previous research on developing and validating CNS core competencies is scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To perform a construct validity test on a core competency scale for clinical nurse specialists.
• To refine and validate a scale measuring CNS core competencies.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study utilizing an online self-report questionnaire distributed in three Nordic countries.
• Exploratory factor analysis, parallel analysis, and psychometric evaluation were employed to assess a 50-item scale.
• The STROBE checklist guided the reporting of this study.

Main Results:

• 184 responses were collected, yielding a 45% response rate across Finland, Denmark, and Iceland.
• The analysis provided construct validity evidence for four core competency spheres: patient, nursing, organization, and scholarship.
• The original scale demonstrated high reliability with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.94.

Conclusions:

• A refined 47-item clinical nurse specialist core competency scale is proposed based on statistical analysis and subjective interpretation.
• Further research is recommended to validate the scale's content and construct in diverse international contexts.
• The validated scale can guide CNS practice, identify professional development needs, inform curriculum development, and support future competency research.