Exploring the core competencies of geriatric nursing among township nurses in China: a qualitative study using the...

Rural regions of China are facing a more severe population aging problem than urban areas, and the diverse health and care needs of rural older adults bring great challenges to frontline nurses working at township hospitals. At present, a targeted core competency system for township nurses engaged in geriatric nursing has not been systematically constructed in China. This qualitative descriptive study adopted the Iceberg Model as the theoretical framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six nurses and four physicians from nine township hospitals in Jiangsu Province. A total of five primary categories, 11 sub-categories and 25 codes were extracted. The final competency framework consists of two major components: explicit competencies (knowledge and skills) and latent competencies (self-image, attitude, and motives). The results indicate that latent competencies play a decisive role in delivering high-quality geriatric care under resource-constrained rural medical conditions. This study is the first to develop a geriatric nursing competency framework for Chinese township nurses based on the Iceberg Model. It enriches relevant theoretical research and provides practical references for the training, assessment and career development of rural geriatric nursing workforces.