Professional competency framework for occupational health nurses in Brazil

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health Nursing
• Professional Competencies
• Human Resources in Health

Background:

• Occupational health nursing is crucial for workplace safety and employee well-being.
• Defining core competencies is essential for standardizing training and practice.
• Existing frameworks may not fully capture the evolving demands on occupational health nurses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive framework of core competencies for occupational health nurses.
• To base the framework on the practical experiences of practicing occupational health nurses.
• To provide a foundation for professional development and recognition in the field.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory qualitative study design was employed.
• Data were collected from occupational health nurses in Brazilian and multinational companies via electronic forms and semi-structured interviews.
• Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data.

Main Results:

• Eight core professional competencies were identified: legal, effective communication, staff and service management, relational, work process improvement, continuing education, health and safety, and research.
• A synthesized competency framework was developed based on these identified competencies.
• The study highlights the multifaceted nature of occupational health nursing roles.

Conclusions:

• The developed competency framework can guide managers and educational institutions in enhancing nurses' skills.
• Implementing the framework aims to elevate the professional profile and recognition of occupational health nurses.
• This initiative supports the continuous improvement of occupational health services within organizations and academic settings.