Self-reported nursing competence among registered nurses in Jordan: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Quality
• Professional Competence

Background:

• Nurses are vital to Jordan's healthcare system, impacting patient safety and care quality.
• Assessing and enhancing nursing competence is a global and national priority.
• Research on self-reported nursing competence in Jordan is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore self-reported nursing competence (SRNC) among registered nurses (RNs) in Jordan.
• To identify specific domains and items where nurses perceive their competence levels.
• To provide data for improving nursing practice and education in Jordan.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 212 registered nurses from various hospital types in Jordan.
• Utilized the short form of the Nursing Professional Competence (NPC) scale (35 items, 7-point Likert scale).
• Data analyzed using SPSS software to determine perceived competence levels.

Main Results:

• Overall self-reported nursing competence was high (mean score 76.69%).
• Highest scoring domain: "documentation and administration of care" (78.26%).
• Lowest scoring domain: "care pedagogy" (75.23%), with specific items like "psychological needs" scoring lower.

Conclusions:

• Jordanian nurses perceive themselves as highly competent, though specific areas need improvement.
• Continuous learning, mentorship, and supportive environments are crucial for maintaining and upgrading competence.
• Future research should incorporate peer and supervisor evaluations to validate SRNC and inform workforce development.