Perceived Emergency Competencies Among Novice Nurses Across Six Middle Eastern Conflict-Affected Countries: A...

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Disaster Management
• Middle Eastern Healthcare

Background:

• Middle Eastern armed conflicts strain healthcare systems, with novice nurses as frontline responders.
• Limited research exists on novice nurses' competencies in high-risk conflict zones.
• Disaster nursing frameworks need practical validation in real-world conflict settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the self-perceived competence of novice nurses in emergency response during armed conflict.
• To identify factors influencing nursing competence in Middle Eastern conflict zones.
• To inform targeted educational strategies for nurses in crisis situations.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 465 novice nurses.
• Data collected from Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon.
• A validated questionnaire assessed self-perceived competence in armed conflict scenarios.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant differences in self-perceived competence were observed across countries, departments, education, and experience.
• Nurses in Syria and Palestine reported higher self-perceived competence.
• Nurses in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia reported lower self-perceived competence.

Conclusions:

• Study offers insights into novice nurses' self-perceived competencies in Middle Eastern conflict zones.
• Variations highlight the need for context-specific training and standardized nursing education in conflict settings.
• Results underscore the importance of tailored educational approaches for nurses operating in high-risk environments.