Core Competencies and Associated Factors Among Clinical Nurse Educators

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Professional Development
• Clinical Competency Assessment

Background:

• Clinical nurse educators (CNEs) in China balance clinical care with educational duties.
• Limited evidence exists on the competency profile of Chinese CNEs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the core competencies of CNEs in China.
• To identify factors associated with CNE competency.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey design was employed.
• Convenience sampling included CNEs from various hospitals in China.

Main Results:

• A total of 898 CNEs participated, reporting moderate overall competency.
• Clinical nursing skills ranked highest; innovation and research competencies were lowest.
• Competency varied significantly based on region, age, professional title, experience, and training (P < 0.05).
• Pre-appointment training for clinical teaching emerged as the strongest predictor of competency.

Conclusions:

• CNEs in China possess moderate competency, with a notable deficit in innovation and research skills.
• Pre-appointment training for clinical teaching is consistently linked to higher competency levels.
• There is a clear need for structured preparation and continuous professional development for CNEs.