Competencies required for occupational health nurses: a scoping review

The competencies required of occupational health nurses (OHNs) to effectively address increasingly complex occupational health needs require systematic clarification. This scoping review aimed to comprehensively examine occupational health nursing competencies by mapping their scope, definitions, and practical applications.

This study adopted a scoping review methodology to systematically summarize key concepts and knowledge. Literature searches were conducted using the Ichushi Web and PubMed databases, covering studies published between 2015 and 2025. Keywords included "occupational health nursing" and "competencies." Peer-reviewed studies published in English or Japanese were included. Two researchers independently conducted primary and secondary screenings, resulting in the selection of 31 studies based on predefined eligibility criteria.

Thirty-one studies were included in the review. Occupational health nursing competencies were described as both basic competencies, essential for all OHNs, and advanced competencies, which are demonstrated by proficient nurses and associated with high performance. The competencies were categorized into 4 domains: "foundations of occupational health nursing," including professionalism and communication; "coordination," including relationship building; "management," including Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)-based management; and "occupational health activities," including health promotion and consultation.

Occupational health nursing competencies span basic to advanced levels and integrate knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes required for effective occupational health practice. These competencies highlight the importance of foundational expertise, collaborative coordination, systematic management, and practical occupational health activities. The findings provide a framework that may support the development of structured education and training programs to strengthen occupational health nursing practice in increasingly complex work environments.