Nurses' clinical competency and its correlates: before and during the COVID-19 outbreak

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Management
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Clinical competency is crucial for nursing practice, education, and management.
• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges to healthcare professionals.
• This study assessed nurses' clinical competence before and during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate nurses' professional competence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify correlates of clinical competence in nurses.
• To understand the impact of the pandemic on nursing competency.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted with nurses in Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences hospitals.
• Data were collected using the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses (CIRN) from 260 nurses before and 246 nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square, and multivariate logistic tests.

Main Results:

• Mean clinical competency scores were similar before (156.97±31.40) and during (161.97±31.36) the pandemic.
• Interpersonal relationships and research/critical thinking skills were lower before the pandemic.
• Shift type was associated with competency before, while work experience was associated during the pandemic.

Conclusions:

• Nurses demonstrated moderate clinical competence both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Enhancing nurses' clinical competence is vital for improving patient care, especially during crises.
• Further research is recommended to identify factors that can improve nurses' professional competency.