Comprehensive self-report scales to measure nurse competence: A scoping review

To synthesize self-report scales that measure holistic nurse competence.

Nurse competence is essential for safe, high-quality care and is closely linked to patient outcomes. However, existing self-report scales vary in domain coverage, making it difficult to select the most appropriate instrument.

A scoping review.

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science for studies published from inception to February 27, 2026. Backward citation searching was also performed. Screening and data extraction were conducted independently by reviewer pairs. Disagreements were resolved through group discussion. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews.

Twenty eligible scales were identified. These instruments included 18-108 items and covered 20 measurement domains. Nursing Implementation was represented in all scales, while Teamwork, Research & Evidence-Based Practice, Ethics & Legal and Manners & Attitudes were also frequently included, suggesting broad consensus on core components of nurse competence. The widest domain coverage was observed in the Nurse Professional Competence Scale and the Chinese Nursing Core Competency Scale (18 domains each), followed by the EHTAN Questionnaire and the Nurse Competence Scale (17 domains each).

This review provides a structured overview of how nurse competence has been operationalized across comprehensive self-report scales. The findings can support more informed instrument selection and serve as a reference for future scale development or competency framework design in local and national contexts.