Developing a Competency Model for Mobile Nurses in Chinese Tertiary Hospitals: A Delphi-AHP Approach

Area of Science:

• Nursing Workforce Management
• Healthcare Crisis Response
• Competency-Based Education

Background:

• Mobile nurses are crucial for emergency response and coordination in tertiary hospitals.
• Lack of standardized competency models hinders effective workforce deployment during healthcare crises.
• Existing frameworks do not adequately address the unique demands placed on mobile nursing staff.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish an evidence-based competency framework for mobile nurses in tertiary hospitals.
• To address critical gaps in workforce optimization during healthcare crises.
• To provide a foundation for standardized training and performance evaluation of mobile nursing staff.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating literature synthesis of 85 articles (2015-2025).
• Semistructured interviews were conducted with 32 clinicians across four Chinese tertiary hospitals.
• A two-round Delphi-Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) consultation with 18 experts established weighted competencies.

Main Results:

• The final framework includes 3 domains: Personality Traits (44.47%), Knowledge/Skills (37.02%), and Professionalism (18.51%), comprising 10 subdomains and 40 indicators.
• Expert consensus was significantly strengthened (p < 0.001) with high authority (Cr=0.85).
• Key competencies identified include crisis intervention, Electronic Health Record (EHR) proficiency, and emotional resilience.

Conclusions:

• This is the first evidence-based competency framework specifically designed for mobile nurses in dynamic healthcare settings.
• The framework offers actionable metrics for recruitment, training, and performance evaluation.
• It supports precise talent allocation and tailored professional development, aligning with global health workforce goals.