[Job performance of nurses with gerontological nurse practitioner certification: A descriptive survey study]

This study aimed to assess the job competency and performance of nurses with gerontological nurse practitioner (GNP) certification, and identify barriers and improvement plans for performing gerontological nursing duties.

A total of 100 nurses holding GNP certification participated in the study, with data collected via online self-report questionnaires from June 15 to November 8, 2024. The survey explored general characteristics, job competency, job performance, barriers to gerontological nursing practice, and suggestions for improvement. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA.

The duty with the highest job competency was 'Evaluation' (4.00±0.73), whereas the lowest was 'Managing & using resources' (3.54±0.78). The most frequently performed duty was 'Plan & implementation' (73.6%) and the least was 'Research' (36.1%). The most cited barrier was 'Lack of job performance opportunities' (24.0%~51.0%) and 'Job assignment based on certification' (25.0%~47.0%) was the most suggested improvement plan.

This study found that GNPs had difficulty performing their duties due to an unsuitable work environment, lack of legal function, and lack of education. These findings suggest that it is essential to provide appropriate job placements, establish legal foundations to support their roles, and develop educational programs, such as simulation-based training.