Standardized and validated training to support the charge nurse: Research protocol.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Management
• Professional Development

Background:

• Charge nurses require specialized skills for effective unit management.
• Existing training for charge nurses may lack standardization and empirical validation.
• Continuous professional development is crucial for healthcare leadership roles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a standardized training program for charge nurses.
• To enhance the competency and effectiveness of charge nurses in healthcare settings.
• To provide an empirically supported training module for charge nurse onboarding.

Main Methods:

• A developmental research design encompassing three phases: scoping review, Delphi review, and cross-sectional pilot study.
• Scoping review to identify and define charge nurse skills and sub-skills for training content.
• Delphi review involving nurses, managers, and researchers to ensure content validity (target CVI > 0.7).
• Pilot testing the training with 30 charge nurses using a cross-sectional study design.

Main Results:

• The study describes the development of updated, empirically validated training for charge nurses.
• Content validation achieved through expert consensus in the Delphi review.
• Successful pilot testing of the training program with a cohort of 30 charge nurses.

Conclusions:

• The developed training program offers a standardized, evidence-based approach to charge nurse education.
• This validated training is ready for systematic implementation in healthcare institutions.
• The program aims to improve charge nurse preparedness and performance from the outset of their role.